Investment Banker · Salary Comparison · 2026
Investment Banker Salary: Richmond, VA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Investment Bankers in Richmond, VA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$127,000 vs $171,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$125,743 vs $105,556
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$109,505 vs $92,657
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $127,000 | $171,000▲ | -$44,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $97,790 | $131,670▲ | -$33,880 |
| 75th Percentile | $162,560 | $218,880▲ | -$56,320 |
| 90th Percentile | $203,200 | $273,600▲ | -$70,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 162 | -61 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 5%▲ | +0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $125,743▲ | $105,556 | +$20,187 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $110,600 | $150,104▲ | -$39,504 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $109,505▲ | $92,657 | +$16,848 |
| 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 $44,000 more (median: $127,000 vs $171,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 162), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($125,743 vs $105,556 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.