Colorado vs Washington Taxes: Take-Home Pay Compared (2026)
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $2,592 more a year in Washington than in Colorado ($216 a month).
Colorado
4.4% flat state income tax
$59,000
take-home on $75,000 · $4,917/month
27th of 51 states for take-home pay
Colorado paycheck calculator ›Washington
No state income tax on wages
$61,592
take-home on $75,000 · $5,133/month
1st of 51 states for take-home pay
Washington paycheck calculator ›Take-home pay in Colorado and Washington by salary
| Salary | Colorado | Washington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $33,268 | $34,320 | $1,052 more in Washington |
| $50,000 | $40,863 | $42,355 | $1,492 more in Washington |
| $60,000 | $48,458 | $50,390 | $1,932 more in Washington |
| $75,000 | $59,000 | $61,592 | $2,592 more in Washington |
| $100,000 | $75,488 | $79,180 | $3,692 more in Washington |
| $125,000 | $91,911 | $96,703 | $4,792 more in Washington |
| $150,000 | $107,899 | $113,791 | $5,892 more in Washington |
| $200,000 | $140,835 | $148,927 | $8,092 more in Washington |
Single filer, standard deduction, no local tax. To match $75,000 in Colorado you would need about $71,300 in Washington; to match $75,000 in Washington you would need about $78,950 in Colorado.
How Colorado and Washington tax wages
| 2026 | Colorado | Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax | a flat 4.4% income tax | no income tax on wages (Washington taxes only certain capital gains) |
| Top rate | 4.4% | 0% |
| Standard deduction | Federal ($16,100 single) | Not applicable |
| State tax on $75k | $2,592 (3.5%) | $0 (0.0%) |
| Local wage taxes | Yes (4 modeled) | No |
| Reciprocity | None | None |
Moving between Colorado and Washington
Moving from Colorado to Washington
Moving to Washington ends state income tax on wages, which saves a $75,000 earner $5,055 a year compared with Oregon and $2,867 compared with Idaho. Expect new payroll lines for paid family and medical leave, WA Cares, and workers' comp. If you hold a private long-term care policy or plan to leave the state again, read the WA Cares rules early. File a part-year return in your former state for wages earned before the move.
Moving from Washington to Colorado
Moving to Colorado from Wyoming adds $2,592 of state tax at $75,000, and from Arizona $1,119. Coming from Kansas you keep $793 more, and from Utah $511 more. Colorado has no city income taxes, but a job in Denver, Aurora, Glendale, Sheridan, or Greenwood Village adds a small monthly OPT. Budget for the FAMLI premium on each paycheck, and file Form DR 0004 if the W-4 default would leave you under-withheld.
Colorado paychecks in brief
Colorado taxes income at a flat 4.4%, and it starts from your federal taxable income, so the federal $16,100 standard deduction carries straight onto the state return. A single filer earning $75,000 owes $2,592 to Colorado and takes home $59,000 a year, or $2,269 every two weeks. A few Denver-area cities add a small flat occupational privilege tax instead of an income tax: $5.75 a month in Denver. Read the Colorado guide.
Washington paychecks in brief
Washington does not tax wages; its only income-type tax in 2026 falls on certain long-term capital gains. A single filer earning $75,000 takes home $61,592 in our estimate, or $2,369 every two weeks. Your real check will be a little smaller, because Washington withholds two state payroll premiums this page leaves out: Paid Family and Medical Leave and the WA Cares long-term care fund. Many workers also see a small workers' compensation deduction. Read the Washington guide.
Colorado vs Washington: FAQ
Does Colorado or Washington have lower income taxes in 2026?
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $2,592 more a year in Washington than in Colorado ($216 a month). Colorado has a flat 4.4% income tax for 2026. Washington has no income tax on wages (Washington taxes only certain capital gains).
What salary in Washington equals $75,000 in Colorado?
To take home the same $59,000 that $75,000 leaves in Colorado, you would need about $71,300 in Washington, based on income, payroll, and state taxes only. Housing and other living costs are not included.
How much more do high earners keep in Washington than in Colorado?
At $150,000 the gap is $5,892 a year: $107,899 in Colorado versus $113,791 in Washington. With flat or no state tax, the gap grows roughly in line with salary.
Do local taxes change the Colorado vs Washington comparison?
Colorado has local wage taxes in places like Denver ($5.75/month), Greenwood Village ($2/month), Sheridan ($3/month). Those are on top of the statewide figures above, so check the city calculators if you live or work in one of them.