Project Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Project Manager Salary: New York, NY vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Project Managers in New York, NY and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$121,000 vs $97,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$64,706 vs $75,781
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$55,693 vs $66,941
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $121,000▲ | $97,000 | +$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $93,170▲ | $74,690 | +$18,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $154,880▲ | $124,160 | +$30,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $193,600▲ | $155,200 | +$38,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 128 | +59 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 4.4%▲ | +2.4499999999999993% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $64,706 | $75,781▲ | -$11,075 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $104,145▲ | $85,684 | +$18,461 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $55,693 | $66,941▲ | -$11,248 |
| Total Employment | 54,400 | 22,400 | +32,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $24,000 more (median: $121,000 vs $97,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($64,706 vs $75,781 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% vs 6.85%).
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.