Paralegal · Salary Comparison · 2026
Paralegal Salary: Richmond, VA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Paralegals in Richmond, VA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$44,000 vs $59,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$43,564 vs $36,420
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$37,939 vs $31,969
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $44,000 | $59,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,880 | $45,430▲ | -$11,550 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,320 | $75,520▲ | -$19,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $70,400 | $94,400▲ | -$24,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 162 | -61 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 5%▲ | +0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $43,564▲ | $36,420 | +$7,144 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $38,318 | $51,790▲ | -$13,472 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $37,939▲ | $31,969 | +$5,970 |
| 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 $15,000 more (median: $44,000 vs $59,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 162), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($43,564 vs $36,420 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.