Business Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Business Analyst Salary: Denver, CO vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Business Analysts in Denver, CO and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$92,000 vs $119,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$71,875 vs $63,978
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$63,491 vs $53,618
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $92,000 | $119,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,840 | $91,630▲ | -$20,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $117,760 | $152,320▲ | -$34,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $147,200 | $190,400▲ | -$43,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 186 | -58 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4%▲ | 9.3% | -4.9% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $71,875▲ | $63,978 | +$7,897 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $81,268 | $99,730▲ | -$18,462 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $63,491▲ | $53,618 | +$9,873 |
| Total Employment | 42,000 | 78,000 | -36,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $27,000 more (median: $92,000 vs $119,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 186), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($71,875 vs $63,978 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% vs 9.3%).
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.