Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Boston, MA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Boston, MA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$252,000 vs $228,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$155,556 vs $178,125
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$136,547 vs $157,345
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $252,000▲ | $228,000 | +$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $190,000▲ | $172,000 | +$18,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $330,000▲ | $298,000 | +$32,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $410,000▲ | $372,000 | +$38,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 4.4%▲ | +0.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $155,556 | $178,125▲ | -$22,569 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $221,206▲ | $201,402 | +$19,804 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $136,547 | $157,345▲ | -$20,798 |
| Total Employment | 14,000 | 6,000 | +8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $24,000 more (median: $252,000 vs $228,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($155,556 vs $178,125 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% vs 5%).
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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.