Financial Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Analyst Salary: Richmond, VA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Analysts in Richmond, VA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$82,000 vs $112,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$81,188 vs $60,215
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$70,704 vs $50,465
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $82,000 | $112,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $61,000 | $82,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $107,000 | $148,000▲ | -$41,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $138,000 | $190,000▲ | -$52,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 186 | -85 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75%▲ | 9.3% | -3.5500000000000007% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $81,188▲ | $60,215 | +$20,973 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $71,411 | $93,864▲ | -$22,453 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $70,704▲ | $50,465 | +$20,239 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 14,000 | -8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $30,000 more (median: $82,000 vs $112,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 186), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($81,188 vs $60,215 equivalent). Richmond, VA has the lower state tax rate (5.75% vs 9.3%).
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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.