Side-by-side tax comparison between New Mexico (5.9% top rate) and Utah (4.65% top rate).
| Salary | New Mexico | Utah | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50K | $40,085 | $40,554 | +$469 | Utah |
| $75K | $57,984 | $58,687 | +$703 | Utah |
| $100K | $74,465 | $75,403 | +$938 | Utah |
| $150K | $106,809 | $108,215 | +$1,406 | Utah |
| $200K | $140,253 | $142,128 | +$1,875 | Utah |
Utah offers higher take-home pay at every salary level. Utah's 4.65% top rate is more favorable than New Mexico's 5.9%. At $100K, the difference is $938/year — that’s $78/month.
However, cost of living matters. New Mexico has a cost index of 91 while Utah is at 99. With similar costs of living, the tax difference is the main factor.