Cost of Living: Boston vs Denver
Purchasing Power Parity: how far does your salary go in Boston compared to Denver?
In Boston, a salary of $100,000 is equivalent to about $86K in Denver. That means Denver offers 16% more spending power. Your money goes further in Denver.
Based on Numbeo cost of living indices. Full methodology.
Salary Converter
Equivalent salary needed in Denver
$86K
To maintain the same standard of living, you'd need $86K in Denver vs $100K in Boston
Boston
83.1
Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100)
Denver
71.5
Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100)
How They Compare
Denver is 14% cheaper than Boston
What Top Roles Earn Here
Real salary data for roles with earnings data in both Boston and Denver, adjusted for cost of living.
| Role | Boston median | Denver median | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $153K | $142K | Denver wins by 8% |
| Information Technology Project Managers | $141K | $137K | Denver wins by 13% |
| Management Analysts | $160K | $174K | Denver wins by 26% |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $199K | $171K | roughly equal |
Salary data from public records. Adjusted for cost of living using PPP ratio (0.86x). Methodology.
See real salary data
Check actual public salaries for these cities on RoleHue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:How much more does it cost to live in Boston vs Denver?
A: Boston is approximately 16% more expensive than Denver, based on Numbeo cost of living indices. A salary of $100,000 in Denver is equivalent to about $116K in Boston. However, actual costs vary by lifestyle, housing choices, and tax situation.
Q:What salary do I need in Boston to match $100,000 in Denver?
A: To maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Denver, you would need approximately $116K in Boston. This accounts for differences in housing, groceries, transportation, and other living expenses between the two cities.
Q:Are these cost of living differences accurate for everyone?
A: Cost of living indices provide a useful benchmark, but individual experiences vary by lifestyle, housing choices, and tax situation. The data comes from Numbeo's crowd-sourced cost of living database and reflects average spending patterns. Use the interactive calculator above to model your specific salary scenario.
Q:How do real salaries compare between Boston and Denver?
A: Based on 4 roles with salary data in both cities, Denver wins by 8% when adjusted for cost of living. See the role comparison table below for detailed breakdowns with links to full salary pages.
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