Financial Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Analyst Salary: Seattle, WA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Analysts in Seattle, WA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$105,000 vs $90,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$64,815 vs $70,313
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$59,889 vs $62,110
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $105,000▲ | $90,000 | +$15,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,000▲ | $66,000 | +$12,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $138,000▲ | $118,000 | +$20,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $177,000▲ | $152,000 | +$25,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 4.4% | -4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $64,815 | $70,313▲ | -$5,498 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $97,020▲ | $79,501 | +$17,519 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $59,889 | $62,110▲ | -$2,221 |
| Total Employment | 10,000 | 8,000 | +2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $15,000 more (median: $105,000 vs $90,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($64,815 vs $70,313 equivalent). Seattle, WA has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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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.