Financial Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Analyst Salary: Richmond, VA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Analysts in Richmond, VA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$82,000 vs $115,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$81,188 vs $70,988
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$70,704 vs $62,313
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $82,000 | $115,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $61,000 | $85,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $107,000 | $152,000▲ | -$45,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $138,000 | $195,000▲ | -$57,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 162 | -61 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 5%▲ | +0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $81,188▲ | $70,988 | +$10,200 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $71,411 | $100,947▲ | -$29,536 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $70,704▲ | $62,313 | +$8,391 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 16,000 | -10,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $33,000 more (median: $82,000 vs $115,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 162), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($81,188 vs $70,988 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 5.75%).
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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.