Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: Boston, MA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in Boston, MA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$155,000 vs $135,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$95,679 vs $105,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$83,987 vs $93,165
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $155,000▲ | $135,000 | +$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $118,000▲ | $103,000 | +$15,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $200,000▲ | $175,000 | +$25,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $248,000▲ | $218,000 | +$30,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 4.4%▲ | +0.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $95,679 | $105,469▲ | -$9,790 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $136,059▲ | $119,251 | +$16,808 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $83,987 | $93,165▲ | -$9,178 |
| Total Employment | 42,000 | 28,000 | +14,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $20,000 more (median: $155,000 vs $135,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($95,679 vs $105,469 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.