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