Product Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Product Manager Salary: Boston, MA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Product Managers in Boston, MA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$158,000 vs $138,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$97,531 vs $107,813
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$85,612 vs $95,235
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $158,000▲ | $138,000 | +$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $119,000▲ | $104,000 | +$15,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $208,000▲ | $182,000 | +$26,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $260,000▲ | $227,000 | +$33,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 4.4%▲ | +0.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $97,531 | $107,813▲ | -$10,282 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $138,692▲ | $121,901 | +$16,791 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $85,612 | $95,235▲ | -$9,623 |
| Total Employment | 7,000 | 5,000 | +2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $20,000 more (median: $158,000 vs $138,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($97,531 vs $107,813 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.