Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Richmond, VA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Richmond, VA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$35,000 vs $47,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$34,653 vs $29,012
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$30,178 vs $25,467
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $35,000 | $47,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $26,950 | $36,190▲ | -$9,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $44,800 | $60,160▲ | -$15,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $56,000 | $75,200▲ | -$19,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 162 | -61 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 5%▲ | +0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $34,653▲ | $29,012 | +$5,641 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $30,480 | $41,257▲ | -$10,777 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $30,178▲ | $25,467 | +$4,711 |
| Total Employment | 35,000 | 105,000 | -70,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $12,000 more (median: $35,000 vs $47,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 162), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($34,653 vs $29,012 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.