Colorado vs Iowa: taxes, cost of living, laws

Colorado

Moderate tax burden · COL index 110

Wins 5 categories

Iowa

Moderate tax burden · COL index 88

Wins 10 categories

Cost of living in Colorado (index 110) runs 25% higher than Iowa (index 88). Property taxes are meaningfully different: Iowa averages 1.42% annually vs Colorado's 0.48%. The median home in Colorado costs $545K vs $215K in Iowa. Politically, Iowa voted Republican in 2024 (R+13.0) while Colorado went Democratic (D+11.0).

Colorado

Iowa

Taxes

4.4%

Income Tax (top rate)

3.8%

0.48%/yr

Property Tax Rate

1.42%/yr

7.76%

Sales Tax (avg)

6.94%

Social Security Tax

Yes

Estate Tax

Yes

As income

Capital Gains Tax

As income

Housing & Cost of Living

110

COL Index (100=avg)

$545K

Median Home Price

$215K

$1,850/mo

Median Rent (2BR/mo)

$1,050/mo

$3K/yr

Home Insurance (avg/yr)

$2K/yr

Crime & Safety

453

Violent Crime / 100K

284

2,859

Property Crime / 100K

1,626

337

Sex Offenders / 100K

213

314

Homeless / 100K

Healthcare

#9 of 50

Healthcare Quality Rank

#21 of 50

78.8 yrs

Life Expectancy

78 yrs

7.4%

Uninsured Rate

5.8%

Yes

Medicaid Expansion

Yes

Education

#9 of 50

K-12 Quality Rank

#15 of 50

School Choice / Vouchers

Yes

Childcare

$1,600/mo

Avg Infant Care / mo

$1,100/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$130/mo

Avg Energy Bill / mo

$135/mo

$530/mo

Avg Groceries / mo

$440/mo

#30 of 50

Road Quality Rank

#8 of 50

Social Policy

A-

Gun Laws Grade

D+11.0

2024 Presidential Margin

R+13.0

Category wins

Colorado

Iowa

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