Salary Comparison

Software Engineer Salary:
Los Angeles, CA vs Denver, CO

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

Los Angeles, CA
$195,742
/ year
+17%
difference
Denver, CO
$166,887
/ year
Bottom line: Denver offers better purchasing power despite Los Angeles paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Los Angeles
Denver
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$195,742✓ higher
$166,887
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$126,585✓ higher
$107,925
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$302,680✓ higher
$258,061
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$130,926✓ higher
$111,436
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$141,842
$146,392✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.38×
1.14×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$126,585✓ higher
$107,925
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$302,680✓ higher
$258,061

What if you move from Los Angeles to Denver?

Gross salary change
$28,855
17% decrease
Take-home change
$19,490
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$4,550
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

Los Angeles, CA$195,742
P10: $126,585Median: $195,742P90: $302,680
Denver, CO$166,887
P10: $107,925Median: $166,887P90: $258,061

More Software Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Software Engineer earn more in Los Angeles or Denver?

The median Software Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $195,742/yr compared to $166,887/yr in Denver, CO. Los Angeles pays 17% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Software Engineer salary worth more in Los Angeles or Denver after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Los Angeles salary has the purchasing power of $141,842/yr in a median-cost city, vs $146,392/yr for Denver. Denver offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Software Engineer in Los Angeles vs Denver?

After estimated taxes, a Software Engineer in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $130,926/yr, vs $111,436/yr in Denver, CO. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.