Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Richmond, VA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Richmond, VA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$218,000 vs $225,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$215,842 vs $181,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$187,970 vs $167,661
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $218,000 | $225,000▲ | -$7,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $164,000 | $168,000▲ | -$4,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $286,000 | $295,000▲ | -$9,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $356,000 | $368,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 124 | -23 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 0%▲ | +5.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $215,842▲ | $181,452 | +$34,390 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $189,850 | $207,900▲ | -$18,050 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $187,970▲ | $167,661 | +$20,309 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 6,000 | — |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $7,000 more (median: $218,000 vs $225,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 124), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($215,842 vs $181,452 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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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.