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
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $907 less state income tax a year in Colorado than in Virginia, which is about $76 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $1,919 in favor of Colorado.
Colorado: 4.4% flatVirginia: up to 5.75%Updated October 10, 2026
Estimate for education only, not tax advice. 2026 federal and state rules, standard deductions, no local taxes. How we calculate.
Comparing 2 states, sorted by lowest overall tax rate.
21.3%
Overall effective tax rate
22.5%
Overall effective tax rate
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Your take-home pay, spread across the year
Colorado
Virginia
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 | Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Flat 4.4% | Progressive, 4 brackets |
| Top rate | 4.4% | 5.75% |
| Lowest rate | 4.4% | 2% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $16,100 standard deduction | $8,750 standard deduction, $930 personal exemption |
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 | CO state tax | VA state tax | Difference | CO take-home | VA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $612 | $911 | $299 less in Colorado | $25,673 | $25,374 |
| $40,000 | $1,052 | $1,486 | $434 less in Colorado | $33,268 | $32,834 |
| $50,000 | $1,492 | $2,061 | $569 less in Colorado | $40,863 | $40,294 |
| $60,000 | $1,932 | $2,636 | $704 less in Colorado | $48,458 | $47,754 |
| $75,000 | $2,592 | $3,498 | $907 less in Colorado | $59,001 | $58,094 |
| $100,000 | $3,692 | $4,936 | $1,244 less in Colorado | $75,488 | $74,244 |
| $150,000 | $5,892 | $7,811 | $1,919 less in Colorado | $107,899 | $105,980 |
| $250,000 | $10,292 | $13,561 | $3,269 less in Colorado | $172,890 | $169,621 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
| Income | CO state tax | VA state tax | Difference | CO take-home | VA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $1,883 | $2,942 | $1,059 less in Colorado | $62,739 | $61,681 |
| $100,000 | $2,983 | $4,379 | $1,396 less in Colorado | $81,727 | $80,331 |
| $150,000 | $5,183 | $7,254 | $2,071 less in Colorado | $118,002 | $115,931 |
| $250,000 | $9,583 | $13,004 | $3,421 less in Colorado | $187,885 | $184,464 |
Married filing jointly, 2026, federal standard deduction. Uses each state's joint brackets where they differ.
Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Colorado charges the same or less state income tax than Virginia for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.
| 4.4% | Over $0 |
| 2% | Up to $3,000 |
| 3% | $3,001 to $5,000 |
| 5% | $5,001 to $17,000 |
| 5.75% | Over $17,000 |
Full details for each state: Colorado income tax calculator and Virginia income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Colorado is lower at $75,000: $2,592 of state income tax versus $3,498 in Virginia. At $150,000 it is $5,892 in Colorado and $7,811 in Virginia. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Colorado charges the same or less state income tax than Virginia for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.
A single filer keeping $75,488 a year in Colorado would keep $74,244 in Virginia after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $1,244 a year, or $104 a month.
Colorado uses a flat 4.4% rate; Virginia uses progressive rates up to 5.75%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
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.
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.
Last checked October 10, 2026. Confirm with your state tax agency before filing.
Estimates for education only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Not a substitute for a tax professional or your state revenue department.