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