Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Boston, MA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Boston, MA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$47,000 vs $41,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$29,012 vs $32,031
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$25,467 vs $28,295
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $47,000▲ | $41,000 | +$6,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,190▲ | $31,570 | +$4,620 |
| 75th Percentile | $60,160▲ | $52,480 | +$7,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $75,200▲ | $65,600 | +$9,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 4.4%▲ | +0.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $29,012 | $32,031▲ | -$3,019 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $41,257▲ | $36,217 | +$5,040 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $25,467 | $28,295▲ | -$2,828 |
| Total Employment | 105,000 | 70,000 | +35,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $6,000 more (median: $47,000 vs $41,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($29,012 vs $32,031 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.