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Tax year 2026 · state vs state

Colorado vs West Virginia Income Tax Comparison (2026)

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $88 less state income tax a year in Colorado than in West Virginia, which is about $7 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $404 in favor of Colorado.

Colorado: 4.4% flatWest Virginia: up to 4.82%Updated October 10, 2026

Compare Colorado and West Virginia 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.

1Colorado

Lowest

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

2West Virginia

21.5%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$2,680
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$16,088
Net income (annual)
$58,912

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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

West Virginia

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,341
Monthly take-home$4,909

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 West Virginia: how the two systems differ

ColoradoWest Virginia
Wage income taxFlat 4.4%Progressive, 5 brackets
Top rate4.4%4.82%
Lowest rate4.4%2.22%
Deductions and credits (single)$16,100 standard deduction$2,000 personal exemption

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 taxWV state taxDifferenceCO take-homeWV take-home
$30,000$612$766$154 less in Colorado$25,673$25,519
$40,000$1,052$1,099$47 less in Colorado$33,268$33,221
$50,000$1,492$1,521$29 less in Colorado$40,863$40,834
$60,000$1,932$1,965$33 less in Colorado$48,458$48,425
$75,000$2,592$2,680$88 less in Colorado$59,001$58,912
$100,000$3,692$3,885$193 less in Colorado$75,488$75,295
$150,000$5,892$6,295$404 less in Colorado$107,899$107,496
$250,000$10,292$11,115$824 less in Colorado$172,890$172,067

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

Married filing jointly

IncomeCO state taxWV state taxDifferenceCO take-homeWV take-home
$75,000$1,883$2,584$700 less in Colorado$62,739$62,039
$100,000$2,983$3,789$805 less in Colorado$81,727$80,921
$150,000$5,183$6,199$1,015 less in Colorado$118,002$116,986
$250,000$9,583$11,019$1,436 less in Colorado$187,885$186,449

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?

Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Colorado charges the same or less state income tax than West Virginia for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.

Rates side by side

Colorado (single filers)

4.4%Over $0

West Virginia (single filers)

2.22%Up to $10,000
2.96%$10,001 to $25,000
3.33%$25,001 to $40,000
4.44%$40,001 to $60,000
4.82%Over $60,000

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

Colorado vs West Virginia FAQ

Which has lower income tax, Colorado or West Virginia?+

Colorado is lower at $75,000: $2,592 of state income tax versus $2,680 in West Virginia. At $150,000 it is $5,892 in Colorado and $6,295 in West Virginia. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Colorado charges the same or less state income tax than West Virginia for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.

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

A single filer keeping $75,488 a year in Colorado would keep $75,295 in West Virginia after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $194 a year, or $16 a month.

How do the Colorado and West Virginia income tax systems differ?+

Colorado uses a flat 4.4% rate; West Virginia uses progressive rates up to 4.82%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.

Are local taxes included in this Colorado vs West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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.