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