Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Richmond, VA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Richmond, VA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$125,000 vs $178,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$123,762 vs $109,877
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$107,781 vs $96,449
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $125,000 | $178,000▲ | -$53,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $88,000 | $126,000▲ | -$38,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $170,000 | $242,000▲ | -$72,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $225,000 | $320,000▲ | -$95,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 162 | -61 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 5%▲ | +0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $123,762▲ | $109,877 | +$13,885 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $108,859 | $156,248▲ | -$47,389 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $107,781▲ | $96,449 | +$11,332 |
| Total Employment | 4,000 | 8,000 | -4,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $53,000 more (median: $125,000 vs $178,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 162), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($123,762 vs $109,877 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.