Product Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Product Manager Salary: Richmond, VA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Product Managers in Richmond, VA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$112,000 vs $158,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$110,891 vs $97,531
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$96,571 vs $85,612
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $112,000 | $158,000▲ | -$46,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $84,000 | $119,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $148,000 | $208,000▲ | -$60,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $184,000 | $260,000▲ | -$76,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 162 | -61 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 5%▲ | +0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $110,891▲ | $97,531 | +$13,360 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $97,537 | $138,692▲ | -$41,155 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $96,571▲ | $85,612 | +$10,959 |
| Total Employment | 2,500 | 7,000 | -4,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $46,000 more (median: $112,000 vs $158,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 162), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($110,891 vs $97,531 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.