Colorado vs Arizona: Take-Home Pay Compared
On a $100,000 salary you take home $75,048 in Colorado and $77,074 in Arizona. That's $2,025 more per year ($169 a month) after moving to Arizona.
| Colorado | Arizona | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | $13,170 | $13,170 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare | $7,650 | $7,650 | $0 |
| State income tax | $3,692 | $2,106 | -$1,585 |
| State payroll & local tax | $440 | $0 | -$440 |
| Take-home pay / year | $75,048 | $77,074 | $2,025 |
| Take-home / month | $6,254 | $6,423 | $169 |
| Total tax rate | 25.0% | 22.9% | -2.0% |
To match your Colorado take-home pay, you would need about $97,000 in Arizona.
Colorado vs Arizona at every salary
Single filer, 2026 tax year, no pre-tax deductions. Difference is Arizona minus Colorado.
| Salary | Colorado | Arizona | Yearly difference | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $33,092 | $33,714 | $621 | $52 |
| $50,000 | $40,643 | $41,499 | $855 | $71 |
| $60,000 | $48,194 | $49,284 | $1,089 | $91 |
| $75,000 | $58,671 | $60,111 | $1,440 | $120 |
| $100,000 | $75,048 | $77,074 | $2,025 | $169 |
| $125,000 | $91,362 | $93,972 | $2,610 | $218 |
| $150,000 | $107,239 | $110,435 | $3,195 | $266 |
| $200,000 | $140,024 | $144,321 | $4,297 | $358 |
| $250,000 | $172,079 | $177,326 | $5,247 | $437 |
Why the difference?
Federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare are identical in both states, so the gap comes entirely from state-level taxes. Colorado has a flat 4.40% income tax, while Arizona has a flat 2.50% income tax. Colorado also withholds Colorado FAMLI.
Income tax is only part of the picture: states without an income tax often rely more on sales and property taxes, and housing costs vary far more than taxes do. Use this comparison for your paycheck, then weigh it against rent or mortgage costs in the cities you are considering.
Commuting across the line instead of moving? Read how taxes work when you live in one state and work in another. See the full breakdowns in the Colorado paycheck calculator and the Arizona paycheck calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is Arizona cheaper than Colorado for taxes?
For wage earners, Arizona takes less of your paycheck. On a $100,000 salary a single filer keeps $2,025 more per year in Arizona than in Colorado ($169 per month). Colorado has a flat 4.40% income tax; Arizona has a flat 2.50% income tax.
How much is $100,000 in Colorado worth in Arizona?
To take home the same $75,048 you net on $100,000 in Colorado, you would need a salary of about $97,000 in Arizona.
How much will I save moving from Colorado to Arizona?
In income and payroll taxes, about $1,440 per year at $75,000, $2,025 at $100,000, and $3,195 at $150,000 (negative numbers mean you pay more in Arizona). Sales, property, and housing costs are not included.