Sales Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Sales Manager Salary: Boston, MA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Sales Managers in Boston, MA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$127,000 vs $111,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$78,395 vs $86,719
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$68,815 vs $76,602
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $127,000▲ | $111,000 | +$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $97,790▲ | $85,470 | +$12,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $162,560▲ | $142,080 | +$20,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $203,200▲ | $177,600 | +$25,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 4.4%▲ | +0.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $78,395 | $86,719▲ | -$8,324 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $111,481▲ | $98,051 | +$13,430 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $68,815 | $76,602▲ | -$7,787 |
| Total Employment | 33,600 | 22,400 | +11,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $16,000 more (median: $127,000 vs $111,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($78,395 vs $86,719 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.