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