Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Boston, MA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Boston, MA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$136,000 vs $119,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$83,951 vs $92,969
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$73,692 vs $82,123
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $136,000▲ | $119,000 | +$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $104,720▲ | $91,630 | +$13,090 |
| 75th Percentile | $174,080▲ | $152,320 | +$21,760 |
| 90th Percentile | $217,600▲ | $190,400 | +$27,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 4.4%▲ | +0.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $83,951 | $92,969▲ | -$9,018 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $119,381▲ | $105,118 | +$14,263 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $73,692 | $82,123▲ | -$8,431 |
| Total Employment | 33,600 | 22,400 | +11,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $17,000 more (median: $136,000 vs $119,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($83,951 vs $92,969 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% vs 5%).
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.