Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: Richmond, VA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in Richmond, VA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$115,000 vs $168,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$113,861 vs $89,840
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$99,158 vs $77,326
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $115,000 | $168,000▲ | -$53,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $88,000 | $128,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $148,000 | $215,000▲ | -$67,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $184,000 | $265,000▲ | -$81,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 187 | -86 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75%▲ | 6.85% | -1.0999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $113,861▲ | $89,840 | +$24,021 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $100,150 | $144,599▲ | -$44,449 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $99,158▲ | $77,326 | +$21,832 |
| Total Employment | 14,000 | 68,000 | -54,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $53,000 more (median: $115,000 vs $168,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 187), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($113,861 vs $89,840 equivalent). Richmond, VA has the lower state tax rate (5.75% vs 6.85%).
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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.