Investment Banker · Salary Comparison · 2026
Investment Banker Salary: Denver, CO vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Investment Bankers in Denver, CO and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$149,000 vs $171,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$116,406 vs $105,556
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$102,827 vs $92,657
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $149,000 | $171,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $114,730 | $131,670▲ | -$16,940 |
| 75th Percentile | $190,720 | $218,880▲ | -$28,160 |
| 90th Percentile | $238,400 | $273,600▲ | -$35,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 162 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4%▲ | 5% | -0.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $116,406▲ | $105,556 | +$10,850 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $131,618 | $150,104▲ | -$18,486 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $102,827▲ | $92,657 | +$10,170 |
| Total Employment | 22,400 | 33,600 | -11,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $22,000 more (median: $149,000 vs $171,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 162), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($116,406 vs $105,556 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.