Nurse Practitioner · Salary Comparison · 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary: Richmond, VA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Nurse Practitioners in Richmond, VA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$98,000 vs $138,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$97,030 vs $85,185
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$84,500 vs $74,775
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $98,000 | $138,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,000 | $107,000▲ | -$31,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $125,000 | $177,000▲ | -$52,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $152,000 | $214,000▲ | -$62,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 162 | -61 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 5%▲ | +0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $97,030▲ | $85,185 | +$11,845 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $85,345 | $121,136▲ | -$35,791 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $84,500▲ | $74,775 | +$9,725 |
| Total Employment | 4,000 | 9,000 | -5,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $40,000 more (median: $98,000 vs $138,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 162), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($97,030 vs $85,185 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.