Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Boston, MA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Boston, MA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$57,000 vs $50,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$35,185 vs $39,063
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$30,886 vs $34,505
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $57,000▲ | $50,000 | +$7,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $43,890▲ | $38,500 | +$5,390 |
| 75th Percentile | $72,960▲ | $64,000 | +$8,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $91,200▲ | $80,000 | +$11,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 4.4%▲ | +0.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $35,185 | $39,063▲ | -$3,878 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $50,035▲ | $44,167 | +$5,868 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $30,886 | $34,505▲ | -$3,619 |
| Total Employment | 105,000 | 70,000 | +35,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $7,000 more (median: $57,000 vs $50,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($35,185 vs $39,063 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.