Side-by-side · Software Engineer
San Francisco vs Denver
Move Value
+$13k
real, after tax + COL · per year
Career Velocity
7/10
SF: 10/10 → regression
10-Year Outlook
+$105k
± $106k confidence band
| San Francisco | Denver | |
|---|---|---|
| P50 salary, role | $187k | $138k |
| State + local income tax | 7.2% | 3.9% |
| After-tax income | $126k | $99k |
| Cost of living (US = 100) | 195 | 128 |
| Median 1BR rent | $3206/mo | $1887/mo |
| Real purchasing power | $64k | $77k |
| Career Velocity (this role) | 10/10 | 7/10 |
| Career Velocity v1 (0–100) | 81 · High | 78 · Strong |
| Walkability (0–10) | 9 | 6 |
| Outdoors (0–10) | 9 | 10 |
Who should make this move
Choose Denver if…
- ·You want $13k more real income per year on day one.
- ·Your 10-year picture lands $105k ahead.
- ·Outdoors-first city with a credible tech and aerospace base.
Stay in San Francisco if…
- ·Career Velocity is higher in SF (10/10 vs 7/10) for your field.
- ·You're optimizing for what SF uniquely offers: highest tech salaries in the country — if you can stomach the cost.
A note on the numbers: Salaries are role-P50 from BLS-style bands. Tax is statutory state + local at ~$110k single. The 10-year outlook uses a 3-year promotion cadence with a small velocity adjustment, 2.5% COL inflation, and discounts to today's dollars. Full assumptions on the methodology page.