College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: New York, NY vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in New York, NY and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$92,000 vs $74,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$49,198 vs $57,813
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$42,345 vs $51,068
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $92,000▲ | $74,000 | +$18,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,840▲ | $56,980 | +$13,860 |
| 75th Percentile | $117,760▲ | $94,720 | +$23,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $147,200▲ | $118,400 | +$28,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 128 | +59 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 4.4%▲ | +2.4499999999999993% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $49,198 | $57,813▲ | -$8,615 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $79,185▲ | $65,367 | +$13,818 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $42,345 | $51,068▲ | -$8,723 |
| Total Employment | 102,000 | 42,000 | +60,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $18,000 more (median: $92,000 vs $74,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($49,198 vs $57,813 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% vs 6.85%).
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.