Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Denver, CO vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Denver, CO and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$131,000 vs $163,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$102,344 vs $87,166
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$90,405 vs $75,024
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $131,000 | $163,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $100,870 | $125,510▲ | -$24,640 |
| 75th Percentile | $167,680 | $208,640▲ | -$40,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $209,600 | $260,800▲ | -$51,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 187 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4%▲ | 6.85% | -2.4499999999999993% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $102,344▲ | $87,166 | +$15,178 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $115,718 | $140,295▲ | -$24,577 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $90,405▲ | $75,024 | +$15,381 |
| Total Employment | 22,400 | 54,400 | -32,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $32,000 more (median: $131,000 vs $163,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 187), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($102,344 vs $87,166 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% vs 6.85%).
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.