Side-by-side tax comparison between Colorado (4.4% top rate) and Idaho (5.8% top rate).
| Salary | Colorado | Idaho | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50K | $40,648 | $40,123 | −$525 | Colorado |
| $75K | $58,828 | $58,040 | −$788 | Colorado |
| $100K | $75,590 | $74,540 | −$1,050 | Colorado |
| $150K | $108,496 | $106,921 | −$1,575 | Colorado |
| $200K | $142,503 | $140,403 | −$2,100 | Colorado |
Colorado offers higher take-home pay at every salary level. Colorado's 4.4% top rate is more favorable than Idaho's 5.8%. At $100K, the difference is $1,050/year — that’s $88/month.
However, cost of living matters. Colorado has a cost index of 105 while Idaho is at 95. With similar costs of living, the tax difference is the main factor.