What does a Graphic Designers salary really buy you in Virginia?
Virginia is 2.1% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-04-02
Virginia's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 102.1, meaning prices are 2.1% higher the national average. A Graphic Designers earning $62,990 in Virginia has the equivalent purchasing power of $61,694 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) | $37,160 | $36,395 | $-764 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $47,590 | $46,611 | $-978 |
| Median (P50) | $62,990 | $61,694 | $-1,295 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $85,940 | $84,172 | $-1,767 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $106,350 | $104,162 | $-2,187 |
Virginia's cost of living is close to the national average, so $62,990 keeps most of its value at $61,694 in real terms. Location choice here is more about career opportunities than cost arbitrage.
Where does Graphic Designers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Virginia ranks #7 out of 51 states for Graphic Designers after cost-of-living adjustment.
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How much do you actually take home? See Graphic Designers take-home pay in Virginia after taxes →
A Graphic Designers in Virginia earns a median salary of $62,990 per year. After adjusting for Virginia's cost of living (RPP=102.1), the real purchasing power is $61,694 — 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 Graphic Designers in Virginia: $62,990 x (100 / 102.1) = $61,694. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Graphic Designers's nominal salary of $62,990 in Virginia has 2.1% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $61,694. However, Virginia may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.