Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in San Francisco, CA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$170,000 vs $131,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$91,398 vs $102,344
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$76,598 vs $90,405
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $170,000▲ | $131,000 | +$39,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $130,900▲ | $100,870 | +$30,030 |
| 75th Percentile | $217,600▲ | $167,680 | +$49,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $272,000▲ | $209,600 | +$62,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 128 | +58 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 4.4%▲ | +4.9% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $91,398 | $102,344▲ | -$10,946 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $142,472▲ | $115,718 | +$26,754 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $76,598 | $90,405▲ | -$13,807 |
| Total Employment | 41,600 | 22,400 | +19,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $39,000 more (median: $170,000 vs $131,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($91,398 vs $102,344 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% vs 9.3%).
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.