Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: Richmond, VA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in Richmond, VA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$115,000 vs $155,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$113,861 vs $95,679
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$99,158 vs $83,987
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $115,000 | $155,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $88,000 | $118,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $148,000 | $200,000▲ | -$52,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $184,000 | $248,000▲ | -$64,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 162 | -61 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 5%▲ | +0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $113,861▲ | $95,679 | +$18,182 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $100,150 | $136,059▲ | -$35,909 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $99,158▲ | $83,987 | +$15,171 |
| Total Employment | 14,000 | 42,000 | -28,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $40,000 more (median: $115,000 vs $155,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 162), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($113,861 vs $95,679 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.