Salary Comparison

iOS Developer Salary:
Denver, CO vs Los Angeles, CA

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

Denver, CO
$155,529
/ year
-20%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$195,249
/ year
Bottom line: Los Angeles wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Denver
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$155,529
$195,249โœ“ higher
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$100,580
$126,267โœ“ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$240,498
$301,918โœ“ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$104,581
$130,591โœ“ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$136,429
$141,485โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.14ร—โœ“ lower
1.38ร—
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$100,580
$126,267โœ“ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$240,498
$301,918โœ“ higher

What if you move from Denver to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
+$39,720
20% increase
Take-home change
+$26,010
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$5,056
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 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

Denver, CO$155,529
P10: $100,580Median: $155,529P90: $240,498
Los Angeles, CA$195,249
P10: $126,267Median: $195,249P90: $301,918

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a iOS Developer earn more in Denver or Los Angeles?

The median iOS Developer salary in Denver, CO is $155,529/yr compared to $195,249/yr in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles pays 20% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a iOS Developer salary worth more in Denver or Los Angeles after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Denver salary has the purchasing power of $136,429/yr in a median-cost city, vs $141,485/yr for Los Angeles. Los Angeles offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a iOS Developer in Denver vs Los Angeles?

After estimated taxes, a iOS Developer in Denver, CO takes home approximately $104,581/yr, vs $130,591/yr in Los Angeles, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.