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Colorado

Moderate tax burden · COL index 110

Wins 5 categories

VS

Wisconsin

High tax burden · COL index 93

Wins 8 categories

Wisconsin's top income tax rate is 7.65% vs Colorado's 4.4%. Cost of living in Colorado (index 110) runs 18% higher than Wisconsin (index 93). Property taxes are meaningfully different: Wisconsin averages 1.51% annually vs Colorado's 0.48%. The median home in Colorado costs $545K vs $285K in Wisconsin.

Colorado
Wisconsin

Taxes

4.4%
Income Tax (top rate)
7.65%
0.48%/yr
Property Tax Rate
1.51%/yr
7.76%
Sales Tax (avg)
5.43%
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)
93
$545K
Median Home Price
$285K
$1,850/mo
Median Rent (2BR/mo)
$1,200/mo
$3K/yr
Home Insurance (avg/yr)
$1K/yr

Crime & Safety

453
Violent Crime / 100K
295
2,859
Property Crime / 100K
1,787

Healthcare

#9 of 50
Healthcare Quality Rank
#8 of 50
78.8 yrs
Life Expectancy
78.1 yrs
7.4%
Uninsured Rate
5.7%
Yes
Medicaid Expansion
No

Education

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

Childcare

$1,600/mo
Avg Infant Care / mo
$1,250/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$130/mo
Avg Energy Bill / mo
$135/mo
$530/mo
Avg Groceries / mo
$470/mo
#30 of 50
Road Quality Rank
#11 of 50

Social Policy

A-
Gun Laws Grade
F
D+11.0
2024 Presidential Margin
R+1.0

Category wins

5

Colorado

8

Wisconsin

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People Also Ask

Is it better to live in Wisconsin or Colorado?

The living costs in Wisconsin are below the national average and well below the costs you can expect to pay in most areas of Colorado. However, other factors must be considered, including the higher Wisconsin taxes and heating costs.

Are people moving to or leaving Colorado?

Colorado's total net migration – the number of people coming here versus the number of people leaving – has dropped by over 50% from 2015 to 2025. That means Colorado's population growth has now slowed to its lowest level since 1989, according to the state demographer.

What does Colorado have that no other state has?

Colorado is home to 58 14,000-feet mountain peaks, more than any other state in the United States. Colorado has the highest mean altitude of all the states.

What is the prettiest small town in Colorado?

1. Crested Butte. Often referred to as the 'wildflower capital of Colorado', Crested Butte's stunning mountain scenery is always bursting with colour, no matter the season. However, the vibrant fall leaves of red, orange and yellow are why Denverites have no qualms making the 4-hour drive to this town every September.

Full Colorado Profile →Full Wisconsin Profile →

Your Priorities

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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

Childcare Affordability

Don't care

Cost of living proxy for childcare affordability

Don't careMust be affordable