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HEAD-TO-HEAD TAX COMPARISON · 2026

COUNTRY A Colorado VS COUNTRY B Maryland

Side-by-side analysis of income tax, effective rates, and take-home pay for Colorado and Maryland in 2026.

Daniel · CountryTaxCalc Updated June 2026 Income tax verified October 2026 Tax Comparison 2026
Calculate your take-home → See all comparisons →
OVERVIEW
Colorado has a flat 4.4% income tax, while Maryland's income tax combines a progressive state rate reaching 6.5% with a mandatory county income tax — the free calculator models this using a representative 3.2% rate, the rate charged by Maryland's most populous counties (real range 2.25%-3.3% by county), blended directly into the state brackets. On $100,000 income, Colorado residents pay approximately -$692 less per year. Colorado also has lower property taxes (0.55% vs MD 0.92%) and lower housing costs in most markets. Maryland's DC corridor location and federal government employment create salary premiums that partially offset the tax gap for many residents.
Section 01

The Big Picture

Top-line rates and effective take-home for a typical earner — including income tax, social contributions, and applicable surcharges.

⛷️
COUNTRY A
Colorado
TAX RATE
4.4%
Flat Rate

4.4% flat (protected by TABOR)

🦀
COUNTRY B
Maryland
TAX RATE
2-6.5%
Progressive

plus county tax (2.25-3.3%)

TYPICAL ANNUAL DIFFERENCE
Moving from Colorado → Maryland at $100,000
$692

That's $58/month more than staying in Colorado

Section 02

Tax Savings by Income Level

Net take-home after all income tax, social contributions, and surcharges — for a single employee with no dependents.

GROSS INCOME
⛷️ CO TAX
🦀 MD TAX
SAVINGS
10-YEAR
$50,000
$1,492
$2,009
-$517
-$5,170
$100,000
$3,692
$4,384
-$692
-$6,920
$200,000
$8,092
$9,823
-$1,731
-$17,310
$500,000
$21,292
$26,940
-$5,648
-$56,480
💡

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⛷️

Colorado Pros & Cons

+ PROS
  • Much lower income tax: 4.4% flat vs MD's blended state-plus-county rate saves -$692/year on $100k
  • TABOR protection: Constitutional limit prevents income tax increases without voter approval
  • Lower property tax: 0.55% vs MD 0.92% saves $1,480/year on $400k home
  • No county income tax: Colorado has no mandatory local income tax layer like Maryland
  • Mountain lifestyle: Rocky Mountain recreation, skiing, hiking, 300+ sunshine days
− CONS
  • No DC job market access: Maryland's proximity to federal agencies and Pentagon is unique
  • Distance from East Coast: Moving away from Atlantic corridor cultural and economic density
  • Denver growing costs: Some Denver suburbs approaching Maryland suburban prices
  • Less transit infrastructure: Maryland/DC Metro system more extensive than Denver RTD
  • Altitude adjustment: Colorado's mile-high climate is a lifestyle change for East Coasters
🦀

Maryland Pros & Cons

+ PROS
  • DC proximity: 20-40 minutes from federal agencies, Pentagon, NSA headquarters in Fort Meade
  • Federal salary premium: DC metro federal and contractor salaries among highest locality pay in US
  • Excellent schools: Montgomery County, Howard County schools consistently ranked top 10 nationally
  • Baltimore inner harbor and Chesapeake Bay: Unique coastal and urban lifestyle
  • Dense healthcare: Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland Medical System, NIH campus in Bethesda
− CONS
  • Mandatory county income tax: Every Maryland resident pays county tax (2.25-3.3%, calculator uses a representative 3.2%) — blended into the state return, no opt-out
  • Combined state-plus-county rate reaches roughly 9.8% at the top bracket in higher-rate counties
  • Higher property tax: 0.92% vs CO 0.55% costs $1,480 more/year on $400k home
  • Traffic congestion: I-270, I-695, I-95 among worst congested corridors in the US
  • High cost of living: Montgomery, Howard, and Anne Arundel counties are among priciest suburban markets
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Maryland's county income tax and why is it mandatory?

Maryland's county income tax is a piggyback tax collected alongside the state income tax on the same Maryland state tax return. Real rates range from 2.25% (Worcester, lowest) to 3.3% (Dorchester and Kent, highest). The free calculator blends a representative 3.2% rate — the rate charged by Maryland's most populous counties, including Montgomery and Prince George's — directly into the state's tax brackets. Every Maryland resident must pay this — there is no opt-out. The result: at $100k income, Maryland's combined state-plus-county tax is $7,504, more than double Colorado's $3,692.

Which Maryland county has the lowest income tax rate?

Worcester County has the lowest Maryland county income tax at 2.25%, versus the highest-rate counties (Dorchester and Kent) at 3.3%. However, even at the lowest county rate, Maryland's combined marginal rate stays well above Colorado's flat 4.4%. This calculator's headline figures use a representative 3.2% rate — the rate charged by Maryland's most populous counties, including Montgomery and Prince George's — which reflects what most Maryland residents actually pay more closely than either end of the range.

How much do Maryland homeowners save by moving to Colorado?

A $100k earner with a $400k home: Maryland income tax ~$7,504 + property tax ~$3,680 = $11,184. Colorado income tax ~$3,692 + property tax ~$2,200 = $5,892/year. Annual savings in Colorado: $5,292. Over 10 years: $52,920. For a $200k earner with a $600k home: MD $9,823 + $5,520 = $21,639 vs CO $8,092 + $3,300 = $11,392. Annual savings $10,247; 10-year savings $102,470.

Is Maryland's tax burden offset by federal government salary premiums?

Partially. The Washington-Baltimore Combined Statistical Area has among the highest federal salary locality pay (around 33% above base GS scales). A GS-13 Step 5 in DC metro earns ~$127k vs ~$104k in Denver metro — a $23k salary difference. The tax gap on $100k income is -$692/year. At higher salaries ($150-200k), the federal salary premium may partially cover the tax difference. But for private-sector employees, remote workers, and retirees, Maryland's dual-layer tax with no federal salary offset makes Colorado far more attractive.
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