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Salary Guide Β· Colorado Β· 2026

Is $58,000 a Good Salary in Colorado?

Single filer Β· 2026 IRS brackets Β· Colorado state tax included

Below comfortable levelΒ· Lifestyle Score 3.7/10

Rent would consume 49% of take-home income β€” above the 35% stress threshold. A higher salary or lower-cost housing is needed for financial stability in this city.

Annual take-home

$46,157

20.42% effective tax

Monthly take-home

$3,846

after all taxes

Monthly surplus

$668

after expenses

Min. comfortable

$69,000

for Denver

Last updated: March 2026Β Β·Β Data updated monthly using government datasets.

$58,000 After Tax in Colorado

Gross salary$58,000
Federal income tax(8.4%)βˆ’ $4,854
Colorado state tax(4.4%)βˆ’ $2,552
Social Security(6.2%)βˆ’ $3,596
Medicare(1.45%)βˆ’ $841
Annual take-home$46,157
$3,846Monthly
$1,775Bi-weekly
20.42%Effective rate

Monthly Living Costs in Denver

Based on HUD Fair Market Rents, USDA food cost plans, and BLS consumer expenditure data.

Rent (1BR)$1,900 (60%)
Food$528 (17%)
Transportation$243 (8%)
Utilities$229 (7%)
Healthcare (est.)$278 (9%)
Total monthly expenses$3,178
Monthly surplus$668

Financial Intelligence

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Housing Affordability

Rent would take up 49.4% of take-home income β€” above the 30% rule of thumb. This creates financial pressure and limits savings. Consider roommates, a studio, or a lower-cost neighbourhood.

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Savings Potential

This salary could allow saving approximately $668/month (17% of take-home), or $8,016/year. That's reasonable, though slightly below the 20% benchmark.

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Purchasing Power

Denver's above-average cost of living (index: 1.39) means $58,000 provides the purchasing power of roughly $41,727 in an average-cost US city, or $49,237 in Austin. Moving to a lower-cost state could effectively increase your take-home by thousands.

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Tax Burden

Total taxes are approximately 20.4% of gross income (federal 8.4%, state 4.4%, FICA 7.6%). This is typical for this income level in the US.

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Salary Benchmarking

$58,000 is slightly above the Colorado individual median of $50,700 (+14%). The state household median is $87,598.

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Living Comfort

A $58,000 salary supports a challenging single lifestyle in Denver, Colorado. After essential expenses, approximately $668/month (~17% of take-home) is available for savings or discretionary spending.

Colorado Income Benchmarks

Your salary

$58,000

gross annual

Colorado individual median

$50,700

You're +14%

Colorado household median

$87,598

You're -34%

Tax Savings Opportunities

Maximize 401(k) Contributions

Contributing the full $23,500 to your 401(k) reduces your taxable income dollar-for-dollar. If your employer offers a match, contribute at least enough to capture the full match β€” that's an immediate 50–100% return.

Up to $5,170 in federal tax (22% bracket)

401(k) Age 50+ Catch-Up Contribution

Workers 50 and older can contribute an additional $7,500 per year, for a total of $31,000. This accelerated savings window significantly reduces taxable income near retirement.

Up to $2,775 additional tax savings (37% bracket)

Contribute to a Traditional IRA

Deductible Traditional IRA contributions (up to $7,000) lower your AGI if you're not covered by a workplace plan, or if you are, if your income falls within deduction phase-out limits. Deduction phases out for single filers with workplace plans between $79,000–$89,000 MAGI.

Up to $1,540 in federal tax (22% bracket)

Open a Roth IRA for Tax-Free Growth

Roth IRA contributions are after-tax but all qualified withdrawals in retirement are tax-free. Eligible for single filers with MAGI below $150,000 (full contribution) to $165,000 (phase-out). Best for those expecting a higher tax bracket in retirement.

Years of tax-free compound growth

$58k Salary in Colorado Cities

Frequently Asked Questions

Is $58,000 a good salary in Colorado?

Rent would consume 49% of take-home income β€” above the 35% stress threshold. A higher salary or lower-cost housing is needed for financial stability in this city.

How much is $58,000 after taxes in Colorado?

After federal income tax ($4,854), Colorado state tax ($2,552), and FICA ($4,437), your annual take-home is $46,157, or $3,846/month. Effective tax rate: 20.42%.

Can you live comfortably on $58,000 in Colorado?

A $58,000 salary supports a challenging single lifestyle in Denver, Colorado. After essential expenses, approximately $668/month (~17% of take-home) is available for savings or discretionary spending.

What is the minimum comfortable salary in Denver?

Based on rent, food, transport, utilities, and healthcare costs, a comfortable salary for a single adult in Denver is approximately $69,000 β€” enough to keep expenses below 70% of take-home pay.

How does $58,000 compare to the Colorado median income?

$58,000 is slightly above the Colorado individual median of $50,700 (+14%). The state household median is $87,598.

Compare Other Salary Levels in Colorado

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Reviewed by

Finance Editor

CPA, 10+ years in personal finance

Data Sources

Data updated monthly using government datasets.