Salary Comparison

Data Engineer Salary:
New York, NY vs Denver, CO

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

New York, NY
$165,248
/ year
-6%
difference
Denver, CO
$175,001
/ year
Bottom line: Denver wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
New York
Denver
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$165,248
$175,001✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$106,865
$113,172✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$255,527
$270,608✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$110,447
$116,822✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$113,964
$153,510✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.45×
1.14×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$106,865
$113,172✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$255,527
$270,608✓ higher

What if you move from New York to Denver?

Gross salary change
+$9,753
6% increase
Take-home change
+$6,375
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$39,546
equivalent real income

Take-home pay is estimated using 2024 US federal tax brackets (single filer) + 7.65% FICA, or a blended international effective rate. Purchasing power converts gross salary to an equivalent in a US median cost-of-living city (index 1.00×). Full methodology →

Salary Range Comparison

New York, NY$165,248
P10: $106,865Median: $165,248P90: $255,527
Denver, CO$175,001
P10: $113,172Median: $175,001P90: $270,608

More Data Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Engineer earn more in New York or Denver?

The median Data Engineer salary in New York, NY is $165,248/yr compared to $175,001/yr in Denver, CO. Denver pays 6% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Engineer salary worth more in New York or Denver after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your New York salary has the purchasing power of $113,964/yr in a median-cost city, vs $153,510/yr for Denver. Denver offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Data Engineer in New York vs Denver?

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in New York, NY takes home approximately $110,447/yr, vs $116,822/yr in Denver, CO. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.