Network Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Network Engineer Salary: Boston, MA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Network Engineers in Boston, MA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$105,000 vs $92,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$64,815 vs $71,875
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$56,894 vs $63,491
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $105,000▲ | $92,000 | +$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,850▲ | $70,840 | +$10,010 |
| 75th Percentile | $134,400▲ | $117,760 | +$16,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $168,000▲ | $147,200 | +$20,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 4.4%▲ | +0.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $64,815 | $71,875▲ | -$7,060 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $92,169▲ | $81,268 | +$10,901 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $56,894 | $63,491▲ | -$6,597 |
| Total Employment | 63,000 | 42,000 | +21,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $13,000 more (median: $105,000 vs $92,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($64,815 vs $71,875 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.