Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Denver, CO vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Denver, CO and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$138,000 vs $178,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$107,813 vs $109,877
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$95,235 vs $96,449
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $138,000 | $178,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $97,000 | $126,000▲ | -$29,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $188,000 | $242,000▲ | -$54,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $248,000 | $320,000▲ | -$72,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 162 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4%▲ | 5% | -0.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $107,813 | $109,877▲ | -$2,064 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $121,901 | $156,248▲ | -$34,347 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $95,235 | $96,449▲ | -$1,214 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 8,000 | -3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $40,000 more (median: $138,000 vs $178,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($107,813 vs $109,877 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% vs 5%).
4More Lawyer City Comparisons
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.