Nurse Practitioner · Salary Comparison · 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary: Richmond, VA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Nurse Practitioners in Richmond, VA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$98,000 vs $155,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$97,030 vs $83,333
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$84,500 vs $69,839
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $98,000 | $155,000▲ | -$57,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,000 | $120,000▲ | -$44,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $125,000 | $198,000▲ | -$73,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $152,000 | $240,000▲ | -$88,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 186 | -85 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75%▲ | 9.3% | -3.5500000000000007% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $97,030▲ | $83,333 | +$13,697 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $85,345 | $129,901▲ | -$44,556 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $84,500▲ | $69,839 | +$14,661 |
| Total Employment | 4,000 | 5,000 | -1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $57,000 more (median: $98,000 vs $155,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 186), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($97,030 vs $83,333 equivalent). Richmond, VA has the lower state tax rate (5.75% vs 9.3%).
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.