Quick answer
Colorado has lower average 1BR rent ($1,595/mo vs $1,600/mo). State income tax: Washington (None) vs Colorado (4.4%) — on a $120K salary that's $5,280/year difference.
State Comparison · 2026
Colorado vs Washington
Side-by-side on state income tax, rent, home prices, climate, and top metros — with specific dollar numbers for every claim.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Colorado vs Washington at a Glance
| Metric | Colorado | Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Avg 1BR rent (major metros) | $1,595 ✓ | $1,600 |
| Avg median home price | $515K ✓ | $570K |
| Cheapest city | Colorado Springs ($1,450) | Spokane ($1,100) ✓ |
| Priciest city | Denver ($1,740) | Seattle ($2,100) |
| State income tax | 4.4% | None ✓ |
| Avg walkability | 49/100 | 62/100 ✓ |
| Cities tracked | 2 | 2 |
✓ marks the lower or more favorable value. Averages use the major metros we track in each state.
State Income Tax: Real Savings
What the rate gap actually looks like in your paycheck. Lower rate: Washington (None).
Salary $80K
$3,520
/year saved in Washington
Salary $120K
$5,280
/year saved in Washington
Salary $200K
$8,800
/year saved in Washington
Calculation uses the effective state rate difference × gross salary. Doesn't include property tax, sales tax, or federal impact.
Deep Dive: Each State
Colorado (CO)
Tax reality
Colorado has a flat 4.4% state income tax — lower than California or New York but not zero. The TABOR amendment caps annual state revenue growth, which occasionally triggers tax refunds (a few hundred dollars per taxpayer) but also starves state services. Property tax is low (~0.5% effective).
Top cities (2 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Altitude takes 3-6 weeks to adjust to and permanently affects endurance sports performance vs sea level. Some people never fully adjust.
- ✕Winter driving the I-70 corridor to ski resorts is regularly miserable. Traction laws can close passes entirely, and Friday/Sunday traffic in season is 3-5 hour crawls for a 90-minute drive.
- ✕Water is structurally tight. Denver specifically has growing supply concerns as the population expands and Colorado River allocations contract. Homes with big lawns are increasingly a liability.
Washington (WA)
Tax reality
Washington has no state income tax on W-2 wages. The state collects revenue through a 6.5% state sales tax (local rates push it to 9-10% in most metros) and a Business & Occupation (B&O) gross receipts tax that affects self-employed workers. A 7% capital gains tax (passed 2021) applies only to gains over $250K on investments — so most people never hit it.
Top cities (2 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Cloud cover from October through April is serious — many newcomers experience genuine seasonal affective disorder (SAD). If you've never lived somewhere with low winter sunlight, test with a 2-week November visit before committing.
- ✕Home prices in Seattle proper have stayed high — $750K-$850K median for a modest SFH in decent neighborhoods. Bellevue and eastside tech suburbs run higher.
- ✕Sales tax 9-10% stings. Every purchase is noticeably more expensive than in no-sales-tax states like Oregon or Montana.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colorado or Washington cheaper to live in?
Colorado has lower average 1BR rent across major metros — $1,595/mo vs $1,600/mo in Washington, a $5/mo difference. Home prices: Colorado median is $515K vs $570K.
Colorado vs Washington: which has lower state income tax?
Washington has lower state income tax (None) vs 4.4% in Colorado. On an $80K salary that's $3,520/year in savings. On $200K, savings grow to $8,800/year.
Should I move from Colorado to Washington?
Colorado has a flat 4.4% state income tax — lower than California or New York but not zero. The TABOR amendment caps annual state revenue growth, which occasionally triggers tax refunds (a few hundred dollars per taxpayer) but also starves state services. Property tax is low (~0.5% effective).
What are the best cities in Colorado vs Washington?
Colorado's largest metros include Denver, Colorado Springs. Washington's largest metros include Seattle, Spokane. Cost of living varies significantly within each state — a Colorado suburb can be 40% cheaper than its flagship city, and vice versa.