Financial Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Analyst Salary: Denver, CO vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Analysts in Denver, CO and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$90,000 vs $115,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$70,313 vs $70,988
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$62,110 vs $62,313
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $90,000 | $115,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,000 | $85,000▲ | -$19,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $118,000 | $152,000▲ | -$34,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $152,000 | $195,000▲ | -$43,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 162 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4%▲ | 5% | -0.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $70,313 | $70,988▲ | -$675 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $79,501 | $100,947▲ | -$21,446 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $62,110 | $62,313▲ | -$203 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 16,000 | -8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $25,000 more (median: $90,000 vs $115,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($70,313 vs $70,988 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.