Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: New York, NY vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in New York, NY and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$168,000 vs $135,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$89,840 vs $105,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$77,326 vs $93,165
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $168,000▲ | $135,000 | +$33,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $128,000▲ | $103,000 | +$25,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $215,000▲ | $175,000 | +$40,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $265,000▲ | $218,000 | +$47,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 128 | +59 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 4.4%▲ | +2.4499999999999993% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $89,840 | $105,469▲ | -$15,629 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $144,599▲ | $119,251 | +$25,348 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $77,326 | $93,165▲ | -$15,839 |
| Total Employment | 68,000 | 28,000 | +40,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $33,000 more (median: $168,000 vs $135,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($89,840 vs $105,469 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% vs 6.85%).
4More Software Developer City Comparisons
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.