Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Richmond, VA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Richmond, VA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$112,000 vs $163,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$110,891 vs $87,166
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$96,571 vs $75,024
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $112,000 | $163,000▲ | -$51,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $86,240 | $125,510▲ | -$39,270 |
| 75th Percentile | $143,360 | $208,640▲ | -$65,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $179,200 | $260,800▲ | -$81,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 187 | -86 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75%▲ | 6.85% | -1.0999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $110,891▲ | $87,166 | +$23,725 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $97,537 | $140,295▲ | -$42,758 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $96,571▲ | $75,024 | +$21,547 |
| Total Employment | 11,200 | 54,400 | -43,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $51,000 more (median: $112,000 vs $163,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 187), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($110,891 vs $87,166 equivalent). Richmond, VA has the lower state tax rate (5.75% vs 6.85%).
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.