Financial Advisor · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Advisor Salary: Boston, MA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Advisors in Boston, MA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$112,000 vs $97,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$69,136 vs $75,781
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$60,688 vs $66,941
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $112,000▲ | $97,000 | +$15,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $86,240▲ | $74,690 | +$11,550 |
| 75th Percentile | $143,360▲ | $124,160 | +$19,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $179,200▲ | $155,200 | +$24,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 4.4%▲ | +0.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $69,136 | $75,781▲ | -$6,645 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $98,314▲ | $85,684 | +$12,630 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $60,688 | $66,941▲ | -$6,253 |
| Total Employment | 33,600 | 22,400 | +11,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $15,000 more (median: $112,000 vs $97,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($69,136 vs $75,781 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.