Colorado vs Utah Paycheck Comparison 2026

Annual salary

$

Annual salary

$
Additional options (filing status, deductions)
Filing status
$
$

You take home $113/yr more in Colorado

$9/mo · $4/paycheck more

Colorado
Utah

$58,293/yr in Colorado vs $58,180/yr in Utah.

Colorado

Take-home per paycheck

$2,242.02

$58,293/yr · 26x/yr

Federal tax$7,67010%
State tax$3,3004%
Social Security$4,6506%
Medicare$1,0881%
Take-home$58,29378%
Tax rates
Effective: 22.3%Marginal fed: 22.0%Marginal state: 4.4%

Utah

Take-home per paycheck

$2,237.69

$58,180/yr · 26x/yr

Federal tax$7,67010%
State tax$3,4135%
Social Security$4,6506%
Medicare$1,0881%
Take-home$58,18078%
Tax rates
Effective: 22.4%Marginal fed: 22.0%Marginal state: 4.5%

Cost of living comparison

Cost of living in Colorado is 4% higher than in Utah.

At a $75,000 salary, take-home pay of $58,293 in Colorado has the purchasing power of $60,402 in Utah terms.

After adjusting for cost of living, Colorado comes out ahead by $2,222/yr.

Housing
Median home$530,000vs$480,000
Colorado
10% more
Utah
Avg 2BR rent$1,523/movs$1,523/mo
Colorado
Utah
Groceries
Index
Colorado
4% more
Utah
Transportation
Regular gas$3.53/galvs$3.40/gal
Colorado
4% more
Utah
Utilities
Electric bill$107/movs$88/mo
Colorado
21% more
Utah
Healthcare
Index
Colorado
17% more
Utah
Childcare & Misc
Infant childcare$21,840/yrvs$13,094/yr
Colorado
67% more
Utah

Estimate based on 2026 tax rates and standard deductions. Does not include local taxes, itemized deductions, tax credits, or other individual circumstances.

Tax system comparison

Colorado: Colorado has a flat state income tax of 4.40%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate.

Utah: Utah has a flat state income tax of 4.55%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate.

Take-home pay at different salaries (single filer, 2026)

Salary Colorado take-home Utah take-home Difference
$50,000 $40,155 $40,080 + $75
$75,000 $58,293 $58,180 + $113
$100,000 $74,780 $74,630 + $150
$150,000 $107,191 $106,966 + $225
$200,000 $140,127 $139,827 + $300
$300,000 $201,977 $201,527 + $450

Positive values mean higher take-home in Colorado. Assumes single filer, no deductions.

FAQ

Which state has lower taxes, Colorado or Utah?

At a $100,000 salary, Colorado results in $150 more annual take-home pay. Colorado has a flat state income tax of 4.40%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate. Utah has a flat state income tax of 4.55%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate.

How much more do you take home in Colorado vs the other state?

The difference depends on salary. At $50,000, the gap is $75/yr. At $150,000, it grows to $225/yr. At $300,000, the difference is $450/yr.

Do Colorado and Utah have the same federal taxes?

Yes. Federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare are the same in every state. Only state income tax differs. This calculator shows the combined effect of federal and state taxes on your take-home pay.

Is it cheaper to live in Colorado or Utah?

Utah is cheaper to live in. Cost of living in Colorado is 6% higher than in Utah. Colorado's Regional Price Parity is 105.1 and Utah's is 99.3 (US average = 100).

Is Utah cheaper than Colorado?

Yes. Utah has a lower cost of living than Colorado (index 99.3 vs 105.1). Housing is typically the biggest difference between the two states.

Is Colorado more expensive than Utah?

Yes. Colorado has a higher cost of living (index 105.1) compared to Utah (index 99.3). The national average is 100. Housing costs are typically the largest driver of the difference.

After cost of living, which state is actually cheaper?

At a $100,000 salary, take-home pay of $74,780 in Colorado has the purchasing power of $79,148 in Utah terms. Conversely, $74,630 in Utah equals $70,512 in Colorado terms. After adjusting for both taxes and cost of living, Colorado comes out ahead.

Colorado vs Utah cost of living — what's the difference?

The overall cost of living is 6% different between Colorado and Utah. Living costs are 5% above the national average Living costs are about at the national average After taxes and cost of living, Colorado gives you more purchasing power on a $100,000 salary.

Related tools

Colorado Paycheck Estimator · Utah Paycheck Estimator · All states