← All States

Colorado

Moderate tax burden · COL index 110

Wins 4 categories

VS

Idaho

Moderate tax burden · COL index 96

Wins 7 categories

Idaho's top income tax rate is 5.8% vs Colorado's 4.4%. Cost of living in Colorado (index 110) runs 15% higher than Idaho (index 96). The median home in Colorado costs $545K vs $425K in Idaho. Politically, Idaho voted Republican in 2024 (R+30.0) while Colorado went Democratic (D+11.0).

Colorado
Idaho

Taxes

4.4%
Income Tax (top rate)
5.8%
0.48%/yr
Property Tax Rate
0.48%/yr
7.76%
Sales Tax (avg)
6.02%
No
Social Security Tax
Yes
Yes
Estate Tax
Yes
As income
Capital Gains Tax
As income

Housing & Cost of Living

110
COL Index (100=avg)
96
$545K
Median Home Price
$425K
$1,850/mo
Median Rent (2BR/mo)
$1,500/mo
$3K/yr
Home Insurance (avg/yr)
$800/yr

Crime & Safety

453
Violent Crime / 100K
228
2,859
Property Crime / 100K
1,535

Healthcare

#9 of 50
Healthcare Quality Rank
#32 of 50
78.8 yrs
Life Expectancy
77.7 yrs
7.4%
Uninsured Rate
9%
Yes
Medicaid Expansion
Yes

Education

#9 of 50
K-12 Quality Rank
#30 of 50
No
School Choice / Vouchers
No

Childcare

$1,600/mo
Avg Infant Care / mo
$960/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$130/mo
Avg Energy Bill / mo
$105/mo
$530/mo
Avg Groceries / mo
$480/mo
#30 of 50
Road Quality Rank
#20 of 50

Social Policy

A-
Gun Laws Grade
F
D+11.0
2024 Presidential Margin
R+30.0

Category wins

4

Colorado

7

Idaho

Run the full slider tool to score these states against your specific income, home value, retirement, and lifestyle priorities.

Score For My Profile →

People Also Ask

Is it better to live in Idaho or Colorado?

Cost of Living: Generally, Idaho tends to have a lower cost of living compared to Colorado, particularly in terms of housing. The median home price in Idaho is often lower than in Colorado, where the real estate market has seen significant price increases, especially in and around major cities.

Is Idaho Republican or Democrat?

Idaho has been a predominantly Republican state since statehood, with the Republican Party dominating in both state and national elections; abortion is severely restricted and the state retains the death penalty, including methods like the firing squad.

Why are Texans moving to Idaho?

Why are Texans moving to Idaho? Many Texas buyers relocate for cooler weather, a slower pace of life, stronger outdoor recreation access, and a market that feels less dominated by rapid metro growth.

Are people moving to or leaving Colorado?

Full Colorado Profile →Full Idaho Profile →

Your Priorities

Adjust and every page updates live

Quick Profiles

Dial in your priorities

Annual Income

$150K

Affects effective income tax rate

$0$500K$5M+

Retirement Savings

$0

Affects pension and SS tax burden

None$500K$10M+

Social Security

None

Annual Social Security benefit

None$150K/yr

My Property Is Worth

$400K

Affects property tax burden

Tax burden ↓$1M$50M+

Home Buying Budget

$400K

Compared to state median home price

Hard to find$250K$5M+

Monthly Rent Budget

Don't care

Compared to state median 2BR rent

Don't care$10K/mo

Job Market

Don't care

State unemployment and job growth

Don't careHot market

Airport Access

Don't care

Direct flight destinations from state hubs

Don't careMust have hub

City vs Country

Mid-size city

% urban population

Deep countryBig city

Sunshine

Don't care

Annual sunny days per state

Don't careMax sunshine

Food Scene

Don't care

Restaurants per 100K residents

Don't careWorld-class

Political Preference

Neutral

State's political lean

LiberalConservative

Gun Laws

Neutral

State gun law grade (Giffords)

Gun Control2A Freedom

Abortion Access

Neutral

State abortion access policy

Pro-ChoiceNeutralPro-Life

Community

None

Congregations per 100K residents

AvoidDon't careSeek

Sports & Entertainment

Don't care

Pro sports teams and major venues

Don't careMust have pro teams

Cannabis Laws

Neutral

State cannabis legality

Prefer LegalNeutralPrefer Prohibition

Retiree Community

Neutral

% population 65+ (Census)

Young areaRetirement-heavy

Dating Market

Neutral

% adults never-married (Census)

Singles sceneFamily community

Safety / Low Crime

Don't care

Violent crime rate per 100K (FBI)

Don't careVery safe

School Quality

Don't care

K-12 rank (Education Week)

Don't careTop-ranked

Healthcare Access

Don't care

Healthcare system rank (Commonwealth Fund)

Don't careTop-ranked