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Tax year 2026 · state vs state

Colorado vs New Mexico Income Tax Comparison (2026)

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $232 less state income tax a year in New Mexico than in Colorado, which is about $19 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $128 in favor of Colorado.

Colorado: 4.4% flatNew Mexico: up to 5.9%Updated October 10, 2026

Compare Colorado and New Mexico 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.

1New Mexico

Lowest

21.0%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$2,359
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$15,767
Net income (annual)
$59,233

2Colorado

21.3%

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

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💰 Monthly breakdown

Your take-home pay, spread across the year

New Mexico

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,314
Monthly take-home$4,936

Colorado

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,333
Monthly take-home$4,917

Estimates use 2026 federal and state rates, the standard deduction for your filing status and no local taxes. Rankings use state income tax only.

Colorado vs New Mexico: how the two systems differ

ColoradoNew Mexico
Wage income taxFlat 4.4%Progressive, 6 brackets
Top rate4.4%5.9%
Lowest rate4.4%1.5%
Deductions and credits (single)$16,100 standard deduction$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.

IncomeCO state taxNM state taxDifferenceCO take-homeNM take-home
$30,000$612$351$260 less in New Mexico$25,673$25,934
$40,000$1,052$753$299 less in New Mexico$33,268$33,567
$50,000$1,492$1,184$307 less in New Mexico$40,863$41,171
$60,000$1,932$1,654$277 less in New Mexico$48,458$48,736
$75,000$2,592$2,359$232 less in New Mexico$59,001$59,233
$100,000$3,692$3,569$123 less in New Mexico$75,488$75,611
$150,000$5,892$6,019$128 less in Colorado$107,899$107,772
$250,000$10,292$11,158$867 less in Colorado$172,890$172,024

Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.

Married filing jointly

IncomeCO state taxNM state taxDifferenceCO take-homeNM take-home
$75,000$1,883$1,429$454 less in New Mexico$62,739$63,193
$100,000$2,983$2,576$408 less in New Mexico$81,727$82,134
$150,000$5,183$4,961$222 less in New Mexico$118,002$118,224
$250,000$9,583$9,861$278 less in Colorado$187,885$187,607

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, Colorado and New Mexico charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $17,500 of income. Above that, New Mexico is the lower-tax state. The order flips again near $125,000, so the better state depends on where your income falls.

Rates side by side

Colorado (single filers)

4.4%Over $0

New Mexico (single filers)

1.5%Up to $5,500
3.2%$5,501 to $16,500
4.3%$16,501 to $33,500
4.7%$33,501 to $66,500
4.9%$66,501 to $210,000
5.9%Over $210,000

Full details for each state: Colorado income tax calculator and New Mexico income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.

Colorado vs New Mexico FAQ

Which has lower income tax, Colorado or New Mexico?+

New Mexico is lower at $75,000: $2,359 of state income tax versus $2,592 in Colorado. At $150,000 it is $5,892 in Colorado and $6,019 in New Mexico. For a single filer, Colorado and New Mexico charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $17,500 of income. Above that, New Mexico is the lower-tax state. The order flips again near $125,000, so the better state depends on where your income falls.

How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Colorado versus New Mexico?+

A single filer keeping $75,488 a year in Colorado would keep $75,611 in New Mexico after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $123 a year, or $10 a month.

How do the Colorado and New Mexico income tax systems differ?+

Colorado uses a flat 4.4% rate; New Mexico uses progressive rates up to 5.9%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.

Are local taxes included in this Colorado vs New Mexico 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 Colorado to New Mexico 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

Last checked October 10, 2026. Confirm with your state tax agency before filing.

More state comparisons

Estimates for education only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Not a substitute for a tax professional or your state revenue department.