US State Tax Comparison
Compare income taxes across US states side by side. See how much you would save or pay more by living in a different state with your income level.
Disclaimer
This is a simplified comparison. Actual tax liability depends on deductions, credits, and other factors. Consult a tax professional.
US State Tax Comparison
Best State (Lowest Tax)
Texas
Take home: $82,947.00
Total tax: $17,053.00 (17.05%)
Highest Tax State
California
Take home: $69,647.00
Total tax: $30,353.00 (30.35%)
Tax Difference Between Best & Worst
$13,300.00
By choosing Texas, you save $13,300.00 per year compared to California
Detailed Comparison
| State | Federal Tax | State Tax | Total Tax | Take Home | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas (TX)✓ Best | $17,053.00 | $0.00 | $17,053.00 | $82,947.00 | 17.05% |
| Florida (FL) | $17,053.00 | $0.00 | $17,053.00 | $82,947.00 | 17.05% |
| California (CA)✗ Highest | $17,053.00 | $13,300.00 | $30,353.00 | $69,647.00 | 30.35% |
State Tax Information
No state income tax
No state income tax
States with No Income Tax
These 9 states don't tax regular wages or salaries:
Alaska
AK
Florida
FL
Nevada
NV
New Hampshire
NH
South Dakota
SD
Tennessee
TN
Texas
TX
Washington
WA
Wyoming
WY
Tax Planning Tips
- ✓ State tax is only one factor in relocation - consider cost of living, job market, weather
- ✓ Some states have no income tax but higher sales tax or property tax
- ✓ Federal taxes are the same regardless of state
- ✓ If you're remote, check if your state taxes based on where you work vs. where you live
- ✓ Retirement income (Social Security, pensions) may be taxed differently by state
- ✓ New Hampshire has no income tax on wages but taxes interest and dividends
- ✓ Consult a tax professional before making relocation decisions
Quick Income Amounts
Total State Tax Burden Has Three Layers
When people compare 'state taxes' across the US, they should be looking at three things: state income tax (0% in 9 states up to 13.3% in California), state and local sales tax (0% in 5 states up to combined 10%+ in Tennessee/Louisiana), and property tax (0.27% effective in Hawaii up to 2.46% in New Jersey). No-income-tax states often compensate with higher sales or property tax, so the headline 'no income tax!' is rarely the full picture.
Texas has no state income tax but average property tax of 1.69% (about 4x California's 0.74%, though California's home values are higher). Tennessee has no state income tax but 7% state sales tax that climbs above 9% in cities. Florida has no state income tax but property insurance averaging $4,200/year (vs $1,500 nationally) due to hurricane risk. Always run total burden, not headline.
States Without Income Tax
Nine states have no individual income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire (only investment income), South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington (only capital gains over $250k since 2022), and Wyoming. New Hampshire and Washington both effectively tax investment income but not wages.
These states tend to be either resource-rich (oil and gas in Alaska/Texas/Wyoming, gambling in Nevada), tourism-driven (Florida), or low-services with low spending (South Dakota, Tennessee). Moving from a high-tax to no-tax state for income tax savings can be substantial - a $200,000 earner saves about $13,000/year moving from California to Texas - but property tax, healthcare costs, and lifestyle differences should factor in.
Highest-Tax States
California has the highest top income tax bracket at 13.3% (technically 14.4% for income above $1 million with the additional Mental Health Services Tax). New York is close behind at 10.9%, with NYC adding another ~3.9% city tax on residents. Hawaii (11%), New Jersey (10.75%), and Oregon (9.9%) round out the top.
These states typically have higher service spending, more public infrastructure, and stronger social safety nets than low-tax states. The trade-off is real, not just theoretical - California schools, transit, and healthcare access differ measurably from Mississippi's. Tax migration patterns over the past decade have generally been from high-tax to low-tax, but slowly and with significant lifestyle filters.
Reciprocal Agreements and Cross-Border Work
Some states have reciprocity: live in NJ work in PA, you only pay NJ tax (not both). DC, NJ, MD, VA have a regional agreement. Live in NY work in NJ, you owe both - though NY usually credits the NJ tax paid. Each state's rules are specific; always check before assuming.
Remote workers can sometimes choose tax residency strategically. Working remotely from FL while employed by a NY company - if you genuinely live in FL, you owe FL (no income tax). NY may try to claim 'convenience of employer' rule and tax you anyway, depending on circumstances. Use the [US Income Tax Calculator](/us-income-tax-calculator) for the federal piece and pair with state-specific tools for state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I move states for tax reasons alone?
Rarely. The savings from moving from California to Nevada at $150k income are about $10k/year - real but not life-changing, and easily wiped out by housing or healthcare cost differences. Tax should be one factor among many in a relocation decision, not the deciding one for most people.
Do retirees pay state income tax on Social Security?
Federal taxes Social Security based on income (up to 85% taxable). Most states (38) do not tax Social Security at all. The handful that do (CT, KS, MN, MT, NM, RI, UT, VT) often have income exclusions that protect lower-income retirees. Check before retiring to a specific state.
What is the difference between marginal and effective state tax?
Marginal = the rate on your next dollar. Effective = total state tax / total income. California's 13.3% is the marginal rate at the top bracket; effective rate for someone earning $250,000 in California is about 8-9%. Effective is the meaningful comparison number.
How do I know which state I owe taxes to?
The state where you 'lived' (had a permanent home, where your family was, where you spent most days, where your driver's license was issued) is the residency state. Most states require 183 days/year minimum to claim residency, but the day count is just one of several tests.
Related Tools
US Income Tax Calculator
Calculate your US federal and state income taxes, FICA contributions and take-home pay for 2025. Supports all 50 states and all filing statuses.
US Paycheck Calculator
Calculate your net paycheck after federal tax, state tax, Social Security and Medicare. Enter your salary or hourly rate and see your take-home pay per pay period.