Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Boston, MA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Boston, MA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$178,000 vs $138,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$109,877 vs $107,813
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$96,449 vs $95,235
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $178,000▲ | $138,000 | +$40,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $126,000▲ | $97,000 | +$29,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $242,000▲ | $188,000 | +$54,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $320,000▲ | $248,000 | +$72,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 4.4%▲ | +0.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $109,877▲ | $107,813 | +$2,064 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $156,248▲ | $121,901 | +$34,347 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $96,449▲ | $95,235 | +$1,214 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 5,000 | +3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $40,000 more (median: $178,000 vs $138,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($109,877 vs $107,813 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.