School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Richmond, VA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Richmond, VA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$46,000 vs $62,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$45,545 vs $38,272
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$39,663 vs $33,595
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $46,000 | $62,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,420 | $47,740▲ | -$12,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $58,880 | $79,360▲ | -$20,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $73,600 | $99,200▲ | -$25,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 162 | -61 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 5%▲ | +0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $45,545▲ | $38,272 | +$7,273 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $40,060 | $54,424▲ | -$14,364 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $39,663▲ | $33,595 | +$6,068 |
| Total Employment | 35,000 | 105,000 | -70,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $16,000 more (median: $46,000 vs $62,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 162), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($45,545 vs $38,272 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.