What does a Biochemists and Biophysicists salary really buy you in Virginia?
Virginia is 2.1% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31
Virginia's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 102.1, meaning prices are 2.1% higher the national average. A Biochemists and Biophysicists earning $109,230 in Virginia has the equivalent purchasing power of $106,983 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Virginia's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $63,120 | $61,821 | $-1,298 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $76,300 | $74,730 | $-1,569 |
| Median (P50) | $109,230 | $106,983 | $-2,246 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $132,270 | $129,549 | $-2,720 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $165,610 | $162,203 | $-3,406 |
Virginia's cost of living is close to the national average, so $109,230 keeps most of its value at $106,983 in real terms. Location choice here is more about career opportunities than cost arbitrage.
Where does Biochemists and Biophysicists salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Virginia ranks #7 out of 31 states for Biochemists and Biophysicists after cost-of-living adjustment.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
A Biochemists and Biophysicists in Virginia earns a median salary of $109,230 per year. After adjusting for Virginia's cost of living (RPP=102.1), the real purchasing power is $106,983 — a -2.1% difference.
Virginia's cost of living is 2.1% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Virginia is 102.1 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Biochemists and Biophysicists in Virginia: $109,230 x (100 / 102.1) = $106,983. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Biochemists and Biophysicists's nominal salary of $109,230 in Virginia has 2.1% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $106,983. However, Virginia may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.