Tax Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Tax Manager Salary: Richmond, VA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Tax Managers in Richmond, VA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$92,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$91,089 vs $83,951
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$79,327 vs $77,570
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $92,000 | $136,000▲ | -$44,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,840 | $104,720▲ | -$33,880 |
| 75th Percentile | $117,760 | $174,080▲ | -$56,320 |
| 90th Percentile | $147,200 | $217,600▲ | -$70,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 162 | -61 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 0%▲ | +5.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $91,089▲ | $83,951 | +$7,138 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $80,120 | $125,664▲ | -$45,544 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $79,327▲ | $77,570 | +$1,757 |
| Total Employment | 11,200 | 46,400 | -35,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $44,000 more (median: $92,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 162), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($91,089 vs $83,951 equivalent). Seattle, WA has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.