Tax Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Tax Manager Salary: Richmond, VA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Tax 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
$92,000 vs $140,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$91,089 vs $75,269
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$79,327 vs $63,081
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $92,000 | $140,000▲ | -$48,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,840 | $107,800▲ | -$36,960 |
| 75th Percentile | $117,760 | $179,200▲ | -$61,440 |
| 90th Percentile | $147,200 | $224,000▲ | -$76,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 186 | -85 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75%▲ | 9.3% | -3.5500000000000007% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $91,089▲ | $75,269 | +$15,820 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $80,120 | $117,330▲ | -$37,210 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $79,327▲ | $63,081 | +$16,246 |
| Total Employment | 11,200 | 41,600 | -30,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $48,000 more (median: $92,000 vs $140,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 186), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($91,089 vs $75,269 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.