Salary comparison
Accountants and Auditors: Washington vs Denver
Washington, DC pays about 2.1% more for accountants and auditors on paper — $102,140 vs $100,020. But once you factor in what it costs to live there, Washington comes out ahead by $2,120 a year in real buying power.
Washington, DC
$102,140
$79,990
$133,430
$49.11
100
$102,140/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
Denver, CO
$100,020
$78,130
$130,870
$48.09
100
$100,020/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
What the numbers mean in practice
The headline gap is $2,120 a year (2.1%) in favor of Washington. That is the raw salary difference before any living costs.
Washington runs a cost index of 100 against the national baseline of 100; Denver sits at 100. After adjusting the median for those costs, Washington is the better deal by $2,120 a year — that is what each paycheck actually buys locally.
If you are weighing a move from Denver to Washington for this role, the raise needs to beat 2.1% to come out ahead after living costs. Anything below that and you are earning more on paper but keeping less.
Common questions
Where do accountants and auditors earn more, Washington or Denver?
Washington pays $102,140 on median — about 2.1% more than Denver ($100,020). Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Which city is the better deal after living costs?
Washington. Once you divide each median by the local cost index, Washington gives you roughly$102,140 of real buying power versus $100,020 in the other city.