Colorado vs Maryland: Take-Home Pay (2026)
Same salary, two tax codes — computed for tax year 2026, single filer with standard deduction.
Quick answer
According to netpaytally.com's computations, a $75,000 salary keeps $607 more per year in Colorado than in Maryland ($59,001 vs $58,394, tax year 2026) — the entire gap comes from state tax, since federal and FICA are identical everywhere.
Colorado's single 4.4% rate meets Maryland's 10-step ladder (up to 6.5%), and which system bites harder depends on where a salary sits. Here the answer never flips: Colorado keeps more at every salary in the table, and the lead reaches $2,108 a year by $250,000. The federal share ($7,670 income tax, $5,738 FICA) cancels out of this comparison entirely.
| Salary | Colorado net | Maryland net | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $40,863 | $40,344 | $520 |
| $75,000 | $59,001 | $58,394 | $607 |
| $100,000 | $75,489 | $74,794 | $695 |
| $150,000 | $107,900 | $106,875 | $1,025 |
| $250,000 | $172,891 | $170,782 | $2,108 |
| Colorado | Maryland | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax type | Flat | Graduated |
| Top rate | 4.4% | 6.5% |
| State tax at $75,000 | $2,592 | $3,199 |
| Take-home rank | #26 of 51 | #36 of 51 |
Which state has better take-home pay, Colorado or Maryland?
At $75,000, Colorado keeps $607 more per year than Maryland ($59,001 vs $58,394, tax year 2026).
Why is take-home pay different if federal tax is the same?
Everything above the federal line is state policy: Colorado's one-rate system against Maryland's bracket ladder. At $75,000 that structural difference is worth $607 a year.
Is Colorado ahead at every salary level?
Yes — at every salary in the table, from $30,000 to $300,000, Colorado keeps more; the gap moves from $520 at $50,000 to $2,108 at $250,000.
Which state ranks higher for take-home pay overall?
Colorado ranks #26 of 51 and Maryland ranks #36 of 51 nationally for take-home pay at $75,000.
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