Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Richmond, VA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Richmond, VA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$218,000 vs $252,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$215,842 vs $155,556
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$187,970 vs $136,547
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $218,000 | $252,000▲ | -$34,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $164,000 | $190,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $286,000 | $330,000▲ | -$44,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $356,000 | $410,000▲ | -$54,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 162 | -61 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 5%▲ | +0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $215,842▲ | $155,556 | +$60,286 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $189,850 | $221,206▲ | -$31,356 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $187,970▲ | $136,547 | +$51,423 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 14,000 | -8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $34,000 more (median: $218,000 vs $252,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 162), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($215,842 vs $155,556 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 5.75%).
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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.