Marketing Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Marketing Manager Salary: Richmond, VA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Marketing Managers in Richmond, VA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$95,000 vs $138,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$94,059 vs $85,185
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$81,914 vs $74,775
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $95,000 | $138,000▲ | -$43,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,000 | $102,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $125,000 | $182,000▲ | -$57,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $156,000 | $227,000▲ | -$71,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 162 | -61 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 5%▲ | +0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $94,059▲ | $85,185 | +$8,874 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $82,733 | $121,136▲ | -$38,403 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $81,914▲ | $74,775 | +$7,139 |
| 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 $43,000 more (median: $95,000 vs $138,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 162), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($94,059 vs $85,185 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.