Cloud Architect · Salary Comparison · 2026
Cloud Architect Salary: Boston, MA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Cloud Architects in Boston, MA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$147,000 vs $128,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$90,741 vs $100,000
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$79,652 vs $88,334
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $147,000▲ | $128,000 | +$19,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $113,190▲ | $98,560 | +$14,630 |
| 75th Percentile | $188,160▲ | $163,840 | +$24,320 |
| 90th Percentile | $235,200▲ | $204,800 | +$30,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 4.4%▲ | +0.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $90,741 | $100,000▲ | -$9,259 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $129,037▲ | $113,068 | +$15,969 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $79,652 | $88,334▲ | -$8,682 |
| 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 $19,000 more (median: $147,000 vs $128,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($90,741 vs $100,000 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.