Paralegal · Salary Comparison · 2026
Paralegal Salary: Boston, MA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Paralegals in Boston, MA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$59,000 vs $51,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$36,420 vs $39,844
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$31,969 vs $35,196
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $59,000▲ | $51,000 | +$8,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $45,430▲ | $39,270 | +$6,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,520▲ | $65,280 | +$10,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $94,400▲ | $81,600 | +$12,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 4.4%▲ | +0.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $36,420 | $39,844▲ | -$3,424 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $51,790▲ | $45,051 | +$6,739 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $31,969 | $35,196▲ | -$3,227 |
| 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 $8,000 more (median: $59,000 vs $51,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($36,420 vs $39,844 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.