Project Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Project Manager Salary: Denver, CO vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Project Managers in Denver, CO and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$97,000 vs $112,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$75,781 vs $69,136
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$66,941 vs $60,688
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $97,000 | $112,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $74,690 | $86,240▲ | -$11,550 |
| 75th Percentile | $124,160 | $143,360▲ | -$19,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $155,200 | $179,200▲ | -$24,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 162 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4%▲ | 5% | -0.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $75,781▲ | $69,136 | +$6,645 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $85,684 | $98,314▲ | -$12,630 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $66,941▲ | $60,688 | +$6,253 |
| Total Employment | 22,400 | 33,600 | -11,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $15,000 more (median: $97,000 vs $112,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 162), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($75,781 vs $69,136 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.