What does a Elementary School Teacher 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 Elementary School Teacher earning $62,270 in Virginia has the equivalent purchasing power of $60,989 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) | $48,070 | $47,081 | $-988 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $52,230 | $51,155 | $-1,074 |
| Median (P50) | $62,270 | $60,989 | $-1,280 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $79,260 | $77,629 | $-1,630 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $102,940 | $100,822 | $-2,117 |
Virginia's cost of living is close to the national average, so $62,270 keeps most of its value at $60,989 in real terms. Location choice here is more about career opportunities than cost arbitrage.
Where does Elementary School Teacher salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Virginia ranks #35 out of 50 states for Elementary School Teacher after cost-of-living adjustment.
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A Elementary School Teacher in Virginia earns a median salary of $62,270 per year. After adjusting for Virginia's cost of living (RPP=102.1), the real purchasing power is $60,989 — 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 Elementary School Teacher in Virginia: $62,270 x (100 / 102.1) = $60,989. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Elementary School Teacher's nominal salary of $62,270 in Virginia has 2.1% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $60,989. However, Virginia may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.