Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Boston, MA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Boston, MA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$148,000 vs $128,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$91,358 vs $100,000
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$80,194 vs $88,334
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $148,000▲ | $128,000 | +$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $112,000▲ | $97,000 | +$15,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $192,000▲ | $166,000 | +$26,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $240,000▲ | $208,000 | +$32,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 4.4%▲ | +0.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $91,358 | $100,000▲ | -$8,642 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $129,914▲ | $113,068 | +$16,846 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $80,194 | $88,334▲ | -$8,140 |
| Total Employment | 14,000 | 9,000 | +5,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $20,000 more (median: $148,000 vs $128,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($91,358 vs $100,000 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% vs 5%).
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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.