Investment Banker · Salary Comparison · 2026
Investment Banker Salary: Boston, MA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Investment Bankers in Boston, MA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$171,000 vs $149,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$105,556 vs $116,406
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$92,657 vs $102,827
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $171,000▲ | $149,000 | +$22,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $131,670▲ | $114,730 | +$16,940 |
| 75th Percentile | $218,880▲ | $190,720 | +$28,160 |
| 90th Percentile | $273,600▲ | $238,400 | +$35,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 4.4%▲ | +0.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $105,556 | $116,406▲ | -$10,850 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $150,104▲ | $131,618 | +$18,486 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $92,657 | $102,827▲ | -$10,170 |
| 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 $22,000 more (median: $171,000 vs $149,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($105,556 vs $116,406 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.