Paralegal · Salary Comparison · 2026
Paralegal Salary: Denver, CO vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Paralegals in Denver, CO and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$51,000 vs $59,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$39,844 vs $36,420
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$35,196 vs $31,969
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $51,000 | $59,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,270 | $45,430▲ | -$6,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,280 | $75,520▲ | -$10,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $81,600 | $94,400▲ | -$12,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 162 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4%▲ | 5% | -0.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $39,844▲ | $36,420 | +$3,424 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $45,051 | $51,790▲ | -$6,739 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $35,196▲ | $31,969 | +$3,227 |
| Total Employment | 70,000 | 105,000 | -35,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $8,000 more (median: $51,000 vs $59,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 162), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($39,844 vs $36,420 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.