Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: Denver, CO vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in Denver, CO and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$135,000 vs $168,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$105,469 vs $89,840
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$93,165 vs $77,326
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $135,000 | $168,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $103,000 | $128,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $175,000 | $215,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $218,000 | $265,000▲ | -$47,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 187 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4%▲ | 6.85% | -2.4499999999999993% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $105,469▲ | $89,840 | +$15,629 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $119,251 | $144,599▲ | -$25,348 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $93,165▲ | $77,326 | +$15,839 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 68,000 | -40,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $33,000 more (median: $135,000 vs $168,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 187), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($105,469 vs $89,840 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% vs 6.85%).
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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.