Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Richmond, VA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians 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
$218,000 vs $260,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$215,842 vs $139,785
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$187,970 vs $117,149
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $218,000 | $260,000▲ | -$42,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $164,000 | $195,000▲ | -$31,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $286,000 | $340,000▲ | -$54,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $356,000 | $420,000▲ | -$64,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 186 | -85 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75%▲ | 9.3% | -3.5500000000000007% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $215,842▲ | $139,785 | +$76,057 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $189,850 | $217,898▲ | -$28,048 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $187,970▲ | $117,149 | +$70,821 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 8,000 | -2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $42,000 more (median: $218,000 vs $260,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 186), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($215,842 vs $139,785 equivalent). Richmond, VA has the lower state tax rate (5.75% vs 9.3%).
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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.