Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links marked with (Ad). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Interior Designers Salary in Virginia: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Interior Designers salary really buy you in Virginia?

Virginia is 2.1% pricier than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$62,560
Median annual (2025)
-2.1%
Real Purchasing Power
$61,273
COL-adjusted (RPP=102.1)

Virginia Cost of Living Index

Virginia's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 102.1, meaning prices are 2.1% higher the national average. A Interior Designers earning $62,560 in Virginia has the equivalent purchasing power of $61,273 in an average-cost US state.

VA: 102.1
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

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) $43,230 $42,340 $-889
25th Percentile (P25) $49,980 $48,952 $-1,027
Median (P50) $62,560 $61,273 $-1,286
75th Percentile (P75) $81,680 $80,000 $-1,679
90th Percentile (P90) $100,030 $97,972 $-2,057
Key Insight

Virginia's cost of living is close to the national average, so $62,560 keeps most of its value at $61,273 in real terms. Location choice here is more about career opportunities than cost arbitrage.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Virginia Sits Near the National Cost Benchmark

RPP 102.1

With an RPP of 102.1, Virginia is within a few percent of the national cost-of-living baseline. Salary adjustment for Interior Designers is therefore minor — what you earn is close to what you'd keep in real purchasing power.

Minor COL Adjustment for This Salary

-2.1%

After adjusting for Virginia's cost of living, $62,560 nominal nets out to $61,273 in real purchasing power — a small 2.1% loss. The state's cost profile is close enough to average that COL alone shouldn't drive location decisions for this Interior Designers.

Bottom-Quartile COL-Adjusted Pay

#43 / 49

Virginia ranks #43 of 49 — bottom quartile for Interior Designers real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.

Best States for Interior Designers (After Cost of Living)

Where does Interior Designers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Wyoming
$104,570
RPP 91.9
$84,433
RPP 116.6
$80,819
RPP 86.6
$77,162
RPP 88.8
$76,627
RPP 102.3
$75,310
RPP 101.3
$74,994
RPP 97.7
8. Georgia
$74,906
RPP 95.8
$74,113
RPP 88.0
$73,226
RPP 109.4

Virginia ranks #43 out of 49 states for Interior Designers after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Interior Designers take-home pay in Virginia after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Interior Designers in Virginia after cost of living?

A Interior Designers in Virginia earns a median salary of $62,560 per year. After adjusting for Virginia's cost of living (RPP=102.1), the real purchasing power is $61,273 — a -2.1% difference.

Is Virginia expensive to live in?

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).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

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.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Interior Designers in Virginia: $62,560 x (100 / 102.1) = $61,273. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Does the high cost of living in Virginia offset the salary?

Partially — a Interior Designers's nominal salary of $62,560 in Virginia has 2.1% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $61,273. However, Virginia may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

What To Do Next

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Related Salary Pages

Get Monthly Salary Insights & Career Data

Free data-driven career updates — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Join career-minded Americans who use data to make smarter decisions. Privacy Policy