Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Seattle, WA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Seattle, WA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$85,000 vs $72,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$52,469 vs $56,250
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$48,481 vs $49,688
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $85,000▲ | $72,000 | +$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,000▲ | $55,000 | +$10,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $110,000▲ | $93,000 | +$17,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $138,000▲ | $117,000 | +$21,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 4.4% | -4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $52,469 | $56,250▲ | -$3,781 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $78,540▲ | $63,601 | +$14,939 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $48,481 | $49,688▲ | -$1,207 |
| Total Employment | 16,000 | 12,000 | +4,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $13,000 more (median: $85,000 vs $72,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($52,469 vs $56,250 equivalent). Seattle, WA has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.