Salary Comparison

iOS Developer Salary:
Denver, CO vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Denver, CO
$155,529
/ year
+3%
difference
Philadelphia, PA
$150,308
/ year
Bottom line: Philadelphia offers better purchasing power despite Denver paying more gross. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Denver
Philadelphia
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$155,529โœ“ higher
$150,308
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$100,580โœ“ higher
$97,203
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$240,498โœ“ higher
$232,425
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$104,581โœ“ higher
$101,430
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$136,429
$139,174โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.14ร—
1.08ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$100,580โœ“ higher
$97,203
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$240,498โœ“ higher
$232,425

What if you move from Denver to Philadelphia?

Gross salary change
$5,221
3% decrease
Take-home change
$3,151
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$2,745
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
Philadelphia, PA$150,308
P10: $97,203Median: $150,308P90: $232,425

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median iOS Developer salary in Denver, CO is $155,529/yr compared to $150,308/yr in Philadelphia, PA. Denver pays 3% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a iOS Developer salary worth more in Denver or Philadelphia 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 $139,174/yr for Philadelphia. Philadelphia offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a iOS Developer in Denver, CO takes home approximately $104,581/yr, vs $101,430/yr in Philadelphia, PA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.