Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: Richmond, VA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers 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
$115,000 vs $175,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$113,861 vs $94,086
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$99,158 vs $78,851
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $115,000 | $175,000▲ | -$60,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $88,000 | $135,000▲ | -$47,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $148,000 | $225,000▲ | -$77,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $184,000 | $280,000▲ | -$96,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 186 | -85 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75%▲ | 9.3% | -3.5500000000000007% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $113,861▲ | $94,086 | +$19,775 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $100,150 | $146,662▲ | -$46,512 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $99,158▲ | $78,851 | +$20,307 |
| Total Employment | 14,000 | 52,000 | -38,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $60,000 more (median: $115,000 vs $175,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 186), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($113,861 vs $94,086 equivalent). Richmond, VA has the lower state tax rate (5.75% vs 9.3%).
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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.