Boston vs Denver

Cost of living and salary reality, side by side. At $60-80k, $70,000 in Boston feels like approximately $46,660 in Denver.

Data: 2026-Q2 · BLS · HUD · KFF

Your $60-80k in Boston feels like $46,660 in Denver. Moving would decrease your purchasing power by 33%.

Income
Housing

Boston

Denver

Breathing Room
 
Housing Pressure
high
 
moderate
1BR Rent
$2,476/mo
 
$1,754/mo
State Tax
MA tax applies
 
CO tax applies
Take-Home /mo
$4,278
 
$4,546
Remote Work Fit
Boston's dense transit makes car-free remote work viable. Remote workers should weigh housing costs carefully — the metro's premium reflects in-person employment demand more than remote worker value.
 
Denver is a premier remote work destination — mountain access, 300 days of sunshine, strong tech community, and housing costs well below Bay Area or Seattle comparables. The trade-off is that costs have risen meaningfully from the 'hidden gem' era of 2010–2016.
Walk Score
83
 
61
Getting By
$60-80k · Boston vs Denver
Income Reality Check

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Curious what a raise — or a different path — would change?

THEN — $60-80k
NOW — $60-80k
~$4,278/mo take-home

At $60-80k in Boston, your picture shifts from getting-by toward getting-by.

No city is objectively better. Boston and Denver each fit different priorities — the right one depends on what you're building toward.

Related comparisons

Boston vs New York CityBoston vs PhiladelphiaBoston vs Washington, DC
Boston profile Denver profile Run Reality Check →
FAQ

Boston vs Denver — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Denver?

HUD FY2026 1BR Fair Market Rent is $2,476/mo in Boston and $1,754/mo in Denver. Denver has lower median housing costs. Source: HUD FY2026 FMR.

How much do I need to earn in Denver to match Boston?

At a $60-80k income, $70,000 in Boston feels like approximately $46,660 in Denver — a reduction of about 33% in purchasing power.

What is the state tax difference between Boston and Denver?

Boston is in MA (MA levies income tax) and Denver is in CO (CO levies income tax). Source: Tax Foundation 2025.

Which city has more breathing room?

Breathing room depends on your income and housing situation. Use the interactive comparison above to see how each city's picture changes across income bands.

Income Reality Check is an educational tool, not financial advice. Your situation has more dimensions than any tool can capture.