Longmont, CO Salary Guide: The Real Take-Home on $100k

You see the offer letter: $100,000. It’s a psychological milestone. But in Longmont, Colorado, a six-figure salary doesn't buy you the same lifestyle it did three years ago. With housing costs skyrocketing and the Front Range tax structure shifting, we crunched the numbers to see what that salary actually puts in your pocket.

Here is the data-driven breakdown of your purchasing power in Longmont.

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The Verification Test ($100,000 Analysis)

Let’s strip away the ego and look at the ledger. When you sign a $100,000 contract in Longmont, you are not taking home six figures. You are subject to the federal tax grinder, FICA, and Colorado’s specific state levies.

The Sticker Price vs. Reality:

• Gross Salary: $100,000
• Federal Tax: -$13,614
• FICA (Social Security/Medicare): -$7,650
• Colorado State Tax: -$4,400
• Local Tax: $0

Your Net Take-Home Pay: $74,336 Annually

The Analysis:
You are losing roughly 25.7% of your gross income to taxes before you pay a single bill. That leaves you with $6,195 per month in raw purchasing power.

While Colorado has no aggressive local city income tax (unlike the layers of taxes you find in places like Denver proper or Boulder), the flat state tax of 4.4% is a significant cut. Compared to a state like Texas (which has 0% state income tax), a Longmont worker earning $100k pays roughly $4,400 more annually just for the privilege of living in Colorado. That is $366/month in "state premiums" that Texans don't pay.

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Smart Budget Breakdown (50/30/20 Rule)

With $6,195 hitting your bank account every month, how do you survive the Front Range economy? We apply the 50/30/20 rule to determine if you are thriving or just surviving.

Needs: $3,097/month (50%)

Allocated for: Rent, utilities, groceries, insurance, transport.

Can you afford rent?
The median rent for a 1-bedroom in Longmont hovers between $1,600 and $1,850. Let’s assume you secure a decent unit for $1,700.

• Rent: $1,700
• Utilities/Internet: $200
• Groceries: $450
• Car/Health Insurance: $747 (The remainder)

Verdict: You can afford a roof over your head, but it’s tight. If you drive a financed vehicle with high insurance premiums, this category bleeds red. You are effectively priced out of buying a median home in Longmont (approx. $550k+) on this single salary without a massive down payment.

Wants: $1,858/month (30%)

Allocated for: Dining out, entertainment, subscriptions, travel.

This is your "fun" bucket. Longmont has a booming craft beer and food scene. This budget allows for a few nice dinners out, a gym membership, and perhaps a weekend trip to the mountains. However, if you are servicing significant student loan debt or credit card payments, this bucket vanishes instantly.

Savings: $1,239/month (20%)

Allocated for: 401k, Emergency Fund, Investments.

This is the only path to wealth creation. Saving $1,239 monthly puts you on track to max out a Roth IRA and contribute significantly to a 401k.

Wealth Creation Reality:
Investing $1,239/month at a conservative 7% return over 30 years results in roughly $1.4 million. This is the hidden value of the $100k salary in a lower-cost area like Longmont compared to high-tax metros. You have the capital flow to build assets if you avoid lifestyle creep.

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Longmont Taxes vs The Competition

How does Longmont stack up against the heavy hitters?

Longmont ($100k Gross):

• Total Tax: $25,664
• Net Pay: $74,336

New York City (The Tax Leviathan):

• Est. Tax Burden: ~$36,000+
• Net Pay: ~$64,000
• Comparison: NYC bleeds you dry. You keep roughly $10,000 more in Longmont annually.

Austin, Texas (The Tax Haven):

• Est. Tax Burden: ~$22,000 (No State Tax)
• Net Pay: ~$78,000
• Comparison: Austin wins on paper by $366/month. However, Austin’s housing market has inflated rapidly, often wiping out that tax savings through higher rent.

The Longmont Verdict: Longmont sits in a "Goldilocks Zone." You pay state tax, yes, but you avoid the crushing local levies of Boulder or Denver while maintaining access to the same job market.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the income tax rate in Longmont?
A: Longmont residents pay Federal tax, FICA (7.65%), and a flat Colorado state income tax of 4.4%. There is no additional "City of Longmont" income tax.

Q: Is $100,000 a good salary in Longmont?
A: It is a good salary, but it is no longer "rich." It is a "comfortable" salary for a single person or a dual-income household. It allows for a $1,200+ savings rate, but purchasing a home on this single income is becoming difficult without significant existing capital.

Q: Does Longmont have a local city tax?
A: No. Based on current data, Longmont does not levy a specific municipal income tax on residents, unlike some specialized tax districts found in other parts of the state.

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Disclaimer: This guide utilizes data derived from IRS 2026 tax brackets, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) inflation metrics, and State Comptroller revenue reports. Figures are estimates for single filers and may vary based on specific deductions, dependents, or pre-tax contributions.