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