Tax Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Tax Manager Salary: Boston, MA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Tax Managers in Boston, MA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$124,000 vs $108,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$76,543 vs $84,375
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$67,190 vs $74,532
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $124,000▲ | $108,000 | +$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $95,480▲ | $83,160 | +$12,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $158,720▲ | $138,240 | +$20,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $198,400▲ | $172,800 | +$25,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 4.4%▲ | +0.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $76,543 | $84,375▲ | -$7,832 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $108,847▲ | $95,401 | +$13,446 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $67,190 | $74,532▲ | -$7,342 |
| Total Employment | 33,600 | 22,400 | +11,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $16,000 more (median: $124,000 vs $108,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($76,543 vs $84,375 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% vs 5%).
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.