Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Denver, CO vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Denver, CO and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$85,000 vs $108,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$66,406 vs $66,667
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$58,659 vs $58,520
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $85,000 | $108,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,000 | $82,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $108,000 | $138,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $132,000 | $168,000▲ | -$36,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 162 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4%▲ | 5% | -0.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,406 | $66,667▲ | -$261 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $75,084 | $94,802▲ | -$19,718 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,659▲ | $58,520 | +$139 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 38,000 | -18,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $23,000 more (median: $85,000 vs $108,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($66,406 vs $66,667 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.