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