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Tax year 2026 · state vs state

Colorado vs South Dakota Income Tax Comparison (2026)

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $2,592 less state income tax a year in South Dakota than in Colorado, which is about $216 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $5,892 in favor of South Dakota.

Colorado: 4.4% flatSouth Dakota: no state taxUpdated October 10, 2026

Compare Colorado and South Dakota 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.

1South Dakota

Lowest

17.9%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$0
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$13,408
Net income (annual)
$61,593

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

South Dakota

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,117
Monthly take-home$5,133

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 South Dakota: how the two systems differ

ColoradoSouth Dakota
Wage income taxFlat 4.4%No tax on wages
Top rate4.4%0%
Lowest rate4.4%0%
Deductions and credits (single)$16,100 standard deductionNot applicable

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 taxSD state taxDifferenceCO take-homeSD take-home
$30,000$612$0$612 less in South Dakota$25,673$26,285
$40,000$1,052$0$1,052 less in South Dakota$33,268$34,320
$50,000$1,492$0$1,492 less in South Dakota$40,863$42,355
$60,000$1,932$0$1,932 less in South Dakota$48,458$50,390
$75,000$2,592$0$2,592 less in South Dakota$59,001$61,593
$100,000$3,692$0$3,692 less in South Dakota$75,488$79,180
$150,000$5,892$0$5,892 less in South Dakota$107,899$113,791
$250,000$10,292$0$10,292 less in South Dakota$172,890$183,182

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

Married filing jointly

IncomeCO state taxSD state taxDifferenceCO take-homeSD take-home
$75,000$1,883$0$1,883 less in South Dakota$62,739$64,623
$100,000$2,983$0$2,983 less in South Dakota$81,727$84,710
$150,000$5,183$0$5,183 less in South Dakota$118,002$123,185
$250,000$9,583$0$9,583 less in South Dakota$187,885$197,468

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 South Dakota charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $17,500 of income. Above that, South Dakota is the lower-tax state.

Rates side by side

Colorado (single filers)

4.4%Over $0

South Dakota (single filers)

South Dakota has no state personal income tax. State revenue comes mainly from sales tax.

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

Colorado vs South Dakota FAQ

Which has lower income tax, Colorado or South Dakota?+

South Dakota is lower at $75,000: $0 of state income tax versus $2,592 in Colorado. At $150,000 it is $5,892 in Colorado and $0 in South Dakota. For a single filer, Colorado and South Dakota charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $17,500 of income. Above that, South Dakota is the lower-tax state.

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

A single filer keeping $75,488 a year in Colorado would keep $79,180 in South Dakota after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $3,692 a year, or $308 a month.

How do the Colorado and South Dakota income tax systems differ?+

Colorado uses a flat 4.4% rate; South Dakota has no tax on wages. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.

Are local taxes included in this Colorado vs South Dakota 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 South Dakota 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.

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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.