California vs Colorado
A side-by-side comparison of California and Colorado — taxes, housing, income, and cost of living — with a salary-equivalence calculator for anyone considering the move.
| State income tax | 1.0%–13.3% | 4.4% flat |
| Median home price | $775,550 | $543,270 |
| Median household income | $100,149 | $97,113 |
| Monthly cost of living | $4,097 | $3,813 |
| Electricity (¢/kWh) | 35.25 | 16.54 |
Salary equivalence
buys the same lifestyle as $89,926 in Colorado
Colorado costs 93.1% of California's cost of living; figure accounts for both states' income taxes. An estimate, not financial advice.
California vs Colorado: what the numbers say
Thinking about moving from California to Colorado? Here's how the two states line up on the numbers that shape your budget. On state income tax, California is 1.0%–13.3% and Colorado is 4.4% flat.
Housing is usually the biggest factor. A typical home costs $775,550 in California versus $543,270 in Colorado — Colorado is cheaper by about $232,281. Overall cost of living runs $4,097 a month in California and $3,813 in Colorado for a single adult, and the typical household earns $100,149 versus $97,113.
Because prices differ, the same paycheck stretches differently: Colorado's cost of living is about 93.1% of California's. Use the calculator above to see exactly what your California salary would need to be in Colorado to keep the same lifestyle, taxes included.
Income matters too, not just costs. The typical household earns $100,149 in California versus $97,113 in Colorado, so a state that looks pricier on paper can still come out ahead if local pay is higher. That's why the salary-equivalence figure — which folds in both taxes and cost of living — is a better guide for a move than any single cost-of-living index on its own.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in California or Colorado?
- Colorado has the lower typical monthly cost of living for a single adult. The table above breaks down housing, taxes, and more, and the calculator shows the salary equivalence between the two.
- What salary do I need in Colorado to match California?
- It depends on your current salary and filing status. Enter them in the calculator above to see the Colorado salary that preserves your California purchasing power after taxes and cost-of-living differences.
Explore further
Dig into either state on its own, or compare a different pair.
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