Financial Advisor · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Advisor Salary: Richmond, VA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Advisors in Richmond, VA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$83,000 vs $112,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$82,178 vs $69,136
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$71,566 vs $60,688
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $83,000 | $112,000▲ | -$29,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,910 | $86,240▲ | -$22,330 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,240 | $143,360▲ | -$37,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $132,800 | $179,200▲ | -$46,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 162 | -61 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 5%▲ | +0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $82,178▲ | $69,136 | +$13,042 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $72,282 | $98,314▲ | -$26,032 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $71,566▲ | $60,688 | +$10,878 |
| Total Employment | 11,200 | 33,600 | -22,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $29,000 more (median: $83,000 vs $112,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 162), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($82,178 vs $69,136 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 5.75%).
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.