What Is a Good Salary in Colorado in 2026?
By Wealthvieu
·
Updated
A good salary in Colorado is $70,000-$95,000 for a single person. Denver’s high housing costs push this higher.
Quick Answer by City
| City |
Good Salary |
Comfortable |
Thriving |
| Denver |
$80,000 |
$100,000 |
$140,000 |
| Boulder |
$90,000 |
$115,000 |
$160,000 |
| Colorado Springs |
$65,000 |
$80,000 |
$105,000 |
| Fort Collins |
$70,000 |
$85,000 |
$115,000 |
| Aurora |
$70,000 |
$90,000 |
$120,000 |
Colorado Cost of Living
| Category |
Colorado |
National Avg |
Difference |
| Overall |
106 |
100 |
+6% |
| Housing |
120 |
100 |
+20% |
| Transportation |
97 |
100 |
-3% |
| Healthcare |
103 |
100 |
+3% |
| Utilities |
90 |
100 |
-10% |
Housing is 20% above national average — the main cost driver.
Colorado Income Tax
Colorado uses a flat income tax:
| Income |
Tax Rate |
| All income |
4.4% |
Take-Home Pay in Colorado
| Gross Salary |
Federal Tax |
State Tax |
FICA |
Take-Home |
| $60,000 |
$5,500 |
$2,640 |
$4,590 |
$47,270 |
| $75,000 |
$8,000 |
$3,300 |
$5,738 |
$57,962 |
| $100,000 |
$12,500 |
$4,400 |
$7,650 |
$75,450 |
| $125,000 |
$18,000 |
$5,500 |
$9,563 |
$91,937 |
Housing Costs by City
| City |
Median Home Price |
Median Rent (1BR) |
| Denver |
$575,000 |
$1,800 |
| Boulder |
$850,000 |
$2,100 |
| Colorado Springs |
$450,000 |
$1,400 |
| Fort Collins |
$550,000 |
$1,650 |
| Aurora |
$470,000 |
$1,550 |
Can You Buy a Home in Colorado?
| Salary |
Home You Can Afford |
Where in CO |
| $75,000 |
$300,000 |
Springs suburbs |
| $100,000 |
$400,000 |
Aurora, Thornton |
| $125,000 |
$500,000 |
Near Denver |
| $150,000 |
$600,000 |
Denver proper |
Denver home ownership requires household income of $140K+.
