1Colorado
Lowest21.3%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,592
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $15,999
- Net income (annual)
- $59,001
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
California vs Colorado Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $196 less state income tax a year in Colorado than in California, which is about $16 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $3,829 in favor of Colorado.
California: up to 13.3%Colorado: 4.4% flatUpdated October 10, 2026
Compare California and Colorado for your income
Estimate for education only, not tax advice. 2026 federal and state rules, standard deductions, no local taxes. How we calculate.
State comparison
Comparing 2 states, sorted by lowest overall tax rate.
2California
21.6%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,788
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $16,195
- Net income (annual)
- $58,805
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💰 Monthly breakdown
Your take-home pay, spread across the year
Colorado
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,333
Monthly take-home$4,917
California
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,350
Monthly take-home$4,900
Estimates use 2026 federal and state rates, the standard deduction for your filing status and no local taxes. Rankings use state income tax only.
California vs Colorado: how the two systems differ
| California | Colorado | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Progressive, 10 brackets | Flat 4.4% |
| Top rate | 13.3% | 4.4% |
| Lowest rate | 1% | 4.4% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $5,540 standard deduction, $153 personal credit | $16,100 standard deduction |
State income tax and take-home pay at every salary
The same salary can leave you with different take-home pay depending on the state. This table applies each state’s 2026 rules to a single filer with no pre-tax contributions.
| Income | CA state tax | CO state tax | Difference | CA take-home | CO take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $225 | $612 | $386 less in California | $26,060 | $25,673 |
| $40,000 | $589 | $1,052 | $462 less in California | $33,731 | $33,268 |
| $50,000 | $1,049 | $1,492 | $442 less in California | $41,306 | $40,863 |
| $60,000 | $1,649 | $1,932 | $282 less in California | $48,741 | $48,458 |
| $75,000 | $2,788 | $2,592 | $196 less in Colorado | $58,805 | $59,001 |
| $100,000 | $5,070 | $3,692 | $1,379 less in Colorado | $74,110 | $75,488 |
| $150,000 | $9,720 | $5,892 | $3,829 less in Colorado | $104,071 | $107,899 |
| $250,000 | $19,020 | $10,292 | $8,729 less in Colorado | $164,162 | $172,890 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
Married filing jointly
| Income | CA state tax | CO state tax | Difference | CA take-home | CO take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $979 | $1,883 | $905 less in California | $63,644 | $62,739 |
| $100,000 | $2,099 | $2,983 | $884 less in California | $82,611 | $81,727 |
| $150,000 | $5,576 | $5,183 | $392 less in Colorado | $117,609 | $118,002 |
| $250,000 | $14,791 | $9,583 | $5,208 less in Colorado | $182,677 | $187,885 |
Married filing jointly, 2026, federal standard deduction. Uses each state's joint brackets where they differ.
Does the lower-tax state change as income rises?
For a single filer, California and Colorado charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $17,500 of income. Above that, California is the lower-tax state. The order flips again near $70,000, so the better state depends on where your income falls.
Rates side by side
California (single filers)
| 1% | Up to $11,079 |
| 2% | $11,080 to $26,264 |
| 4% | $26,265 to $41,452 |
| 6% | $41,453 to $57,542 |
| 8% | $57,543 to $72,724 |
| 9.3% | $72,725 to $371,479 |
| 10.3% | $371,480 to $445,771 |
| 11.3% | $445,772 to $742,953 |
| 12.3% | $742,954 to $1,000,000 |
| 13.3% | Over $1,000,000 |
Colorado (single filers)
| 4.4% | Over $0 |
- California: California also charges 1.3% State Disability Insurance (SDI) on all wages, and an extra 1% mental health tax above $1 million. Neither is included here.
Full details for each state: California income tax calculator and Colorado income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
California vs Colorado FAQ
Which has lower income tax, California or Colorado?+
Colorado is lower at $75,000: $2,592 of state income tax versus $2,788 in California. At $150,000 it is $9,720 in California and $5,892 in Colorado. For a single filer, California and Colorado charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $17,500 of income. Above that, California is the lower-tax state. The order flips again near $70,000, so the better state depends on where your income falls.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in California versus Colorado?+
A single filer keeping $74,110 a year in California would keep $75,488 in Colorado after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $1,379 a year, or $115 a month.
How do the California and Colorado income tax systems differ?+
California uses progressive rates up to 13.3%; Colorado uses a flat 4.4% rate. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this California vs Colorado comparison?+
No. It covers federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and state income tax only. City, county, sales and property taxes are not included, and they can change the real cost of living in each state.
Should I move from California to Colorado to save on taxes?+
State income tax is one cost among many. Property and sales taxes, housing, insurance and wages also differ, and you may owe tax to both states in the year you move. Use this comparison as one input and confirm details with a tax professional.
Sources
- Tax Foundation: 2026 state individual income tax rates and brackets
- IRS: Tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2026
Last checked October 10, 2026. Confirm with your state tax agency before filing.
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Estimates for education only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Not a substitute for a tax professional or your state revenue department.