Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in San Francisco, CA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$175,000 vs $135,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$94,086 vs $105,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$78,851 vs $93,165
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $175,000▲ | $135,000 | +$40,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $135,000▲ | $103,000 | +$32,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $225,000▲ | $175,000 | +$50,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $280,000▲ | $218,000 | +$62,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 128 | +58 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 4.4%▲ | +4.9% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $94,086 | $105,469▲ | -$11,383 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $146,662▲ | $119,251 | +$27,411 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $78,851 | $93,165▲ | -$14,314 |
| Total Employment | 52,000 | 28,000 | +24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $40,000 more (median: $175,000 vs $135,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($94,086 vs $105,469 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% vs 9.3%).
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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.