Product Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Product Manager Salary: Richmond, VA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Product Managers 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
$112,000 vs $185,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$110,891 vs $99,462
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$96,571 vs $83,356
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $112,000 | $185,000▲ | -$73,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $84,000 | $140,000▲ | -$56,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $148,000 | $245,000▲ | -$97,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $184,000 | $305,000▲ | -$121,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 186 | -85 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75%▲ | 9.3% | -3.5500000000000007% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $110,891▲ | $99,462 | +$11,429 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $97,537 | $155,043▲ | -$57,506 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $96,571▲ | $83,356 | +$13,215 |
| Total Employment | 2,500 | 8,000 | -5,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $73,000 more (median: $112,000 vs $185,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 186), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($110,891 vs $99,462 equivalent). Richmond, VA has the lower state tax rate (5.75% vs 9.3%).
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.