Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Boston, MA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Boston, MA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$150,000 vs $131,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$92,593 vs $102,344
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$81,278 vs $90,405
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $150,000▲ | $131,000 | +$19,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,500▲ | $100,870 | +$14,630 |
| 75th Percentile | $192,000▲ | $167,680 | +$24,320 |
| 90th Percentile | $240,000▲ | $209,600 | +$30,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 4.4%▲ | +0.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $92,593 | $102,344▲ | -$9,751 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $131,670▲ | $115,718 | +$15,952 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $81,278 | $90,405▲ | -$9,127 |
| 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 $19,000 more (median: $150,000 vs $131,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($92,593 vs $102,344 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.