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