Colorado vs Utah: Healthcare Job Market Comparison
Mountain West rivals. Strong quality-of-life draws in both; tax structure and physician shortage vary.
Colorado
2,590
providers in directory
- Avg RN salary
- $86,500
- Avg physician salary
- $355,000
- Cost of living
- 105.5
- Top state income tax
- 4.25%
Utah
1,909
providers in directory
- Avg RN salary
- $77,290
- Avg physician salary
- $362,000
- Cost of living
- 103.5
- Top state income tax
- 4.55%
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Colorado | Utah |
|---|---|---|
| Providers in directory | 2,590 | 1,909 |
| Cities served | 140 | 112 |
| Avg RN salary (BLS May 2024) | $86,500 | $77,290 |
| Avg physician salary | $355,000 | $362,000 |
| Cost of living (100 = US avg) | 105.5 | 103.5 |
| State income tax (top rate) | 4.25% | 4.55% |
Salary figures are approximate, drawn from public sources including BLS, Medscape, and Doximity compensation reports.
Top Cities for Providers
Colorado
- Denver455
- Aurora306
- Colorado Springs243
- Fort Collins117
- Boulder86
Utah
- Salt Lake City659
- Provo119
- Ogden114
- Murray104
- St George96
Notable Health Systems
Colorado
- • UCHealth
- • Denver Health
- • Centura Health
Utah
- • University of Utah Health
- • Intermountain Healthcare
- • MountainStar Healthcare
Medical Licensure Boards
Each state has its own medical board. Check fees, required CME hours, and reciprocity before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which state pays nurses more, Colorado or Utah?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), registered nurses in Colorado earn an average of $86,500, compared to $77,290 in Utah. The gap is roughly $9,210 per year before adjusting for cost of living.
Which state has higher physician salaries, Colorado or Utah?
Aggregated compensation data shows physicians in Utah earn approximately $362,000 on average, compared to $355,000 in Colorado. Specialty and practice setting drive much larger variations than state averages suggest.
How does the cost of living compare between Colorado and Utah?
Using the MERIC Q4 2024 cost-of-living index (100 = national average), Colorado is 105.5 and Utah is 103.5. Utah (103.5) is the more affordable of the two, while Colorado (105.5) is more expensive. Housing is typically the largest driver of these differences.
How many healthcare providers practice in Colorado vs. Utah?
The Ava Health directory lists 2,590 providers in Colorado across 140 cities, and 1,909 providers in Utah across 112 cities. All data is sourced from the CMS NPPES NPI registry and updated regularly.
Which state has a more favorable tax environment for healthcare providers?
Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.25%, while Utah's top rate is 4.55%. Always factor in property tax, sales tax, and local taxes before making a relocation decision — states with no income tax often offset through higher sales or property taxes.
Other State Comparisons
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New York vs New Jersey
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Texas vs Arizona
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North Carolina vs Virginia
Research Triangle vs. DC metro. Different healthcare ecosystems, comparable salaries.