Relocation Guide · 2026
Moving from Boston to Denver
Salary adjustment, rent comparison, taxes, and cost-of-living breakdown
Salary Equivalency
$100k in Boston = $72k in Denver
Denver is 28% cheaper than Boston overall
1.93
COL Index (From)
Boston
1.39
COL Index (To)
Denver
$2,900/mo
1BR Rent (From)
Boston
$1,900/mo
1BR Rent (To)
Denver
Salary Adjustment Calculator
How much you need to earn in Denver to match your current Boston salary
| Boston Salary | Take-Home (MA) | Equiv. in Denver | Take-Home (CO) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,248/yr 21.25% eff. rate | $43,212 | $34,858/yr 19.33% eff. rate | -$16,788 |
| $80,000 | $60,666/yr 24.17% eff. rate | $57,617 | $45,799/yr 20.51% eff. rate | -$22,383 |
| $100,000 | $73,736/yr 26.26% eff. rate | $72,021 | $55,884/yr 22.41% eff. rate | -$27,979 |
| $120,000 | $86,773/yr 27.69% eff. rate | $86,425 | $65,383/yr 24.35% eff. rate | -$33,575 |
| $150,000 | $105,778/yr 29.48% eff. rate | $108,031 | $79,633/yr 26.29% eff. rate | -$41,969 |
| $200,000 | $138,935/yr 30.53% eff. rate | $144,041 | $102,866/yr 28.59% eff. rate | -$55,959 |
Positive difference = you need a higher salary in Denver to maintain purchasing power. Negative = Denver is cheaper and your purchasing power improves at the same salary.
Rent Comparison
Studio
Boston
$2,260/mo
Denver
$1,480/mo
-34.5% in Denver
1-Bedroom
Boston
$2,900/mo
Denver
$1,900/mo
-34.5% in Denver
2-Bedroom
Boston
$3,700/mo
Denver
$2,400/mo
-35.1% in Denver
Family (3-4BR)
Boston
$4,920/mo
Denver
$3,190/mo
-35.2% in Denver
Frequently Asked Questions
How much salary do I need in Denver to match my Boston income?
$100k in Boston = $72k in Denver. Denver has a cost-of-living index of 1.39 vs 1.93 for Boston (1.00 = US average). That's a 28% decrease in overall living costs.
How does rent compare between Boston and Denver?
A 1-bedroom apartment in Boston averages $2,900/month, while the same in Denver runs $1,900/month — that's 34.5% less in Denver. For a 2-bedroom, expect $3,700/month in Boston vs $2,400/month in Denver.
How does state income tax change when moving from Boston to Denver?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,736/year in MA (effective rate: 26.26%). The equivalent salary in CO is $72,021, giving you $55,884/year (effective rate: 22.41%).
Is moving from Boston to Denver a good financial decision?
Denver is 28% cheaper than Boston. Even at the same salary, your purchasing power would increase by roughly 28%. Rent in Denver is $1,900/month for a 1BR, compared to $2,900/month in Boston.