Side-by-side · Software Engineer
Houston vs Richmond
Move Value
−$1k
real, after tax + COL · per year
Career Velocity
6/10
Houston: 6/10 → lateral
10-Year Outlook
−$22k
± $85k confidence band
| Houston | Richmond | |
|---|---|---|
| P50 salary, role | $122k | $112k |
| State + local income tax | None | None |
| After-tax income | $94k | $87k |
| Cost of living (US = 100) | 102 | 96 |
| Median 1BR rent | $1619/mo | $1736/mo |
| Real purchasing power | $92k | $91k |
| Career Velocity (this role) | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Career Velocity v1 (0–100) | 18 · Thin | 18 · Thin |
| Walkability (0–10) | 3 | 6 |
| Outdoors (0–10) | 5 | 8 |
Who should make this move
Choose Richmond if…
- ·Your field's Career Velocity is at least as good in RVA (6/10).
- ·Small-city cost basis with a real food, art, and outdoors scene.
Stay in Houston if…
- ·You'd lose $1k of real income annually.
- ·Your 10-year picture is $22k better if you stay.
- ·You're optimizing for what Houston uniquely offers: energy and medical jobs at one of america's lowest big-city costs.
A note on the numbers: Salaries are role-P50 from BLS-style bands. Tax is statutory state + local at ~$110k single. The 10-year outlook uses a 3-year promotion cadence with a small velocity adjustment, 2.5% COL inflation, and discounts to today's dollars. Full assumptions on the methodology page.