Compare take-home pay by state
Pick two states and one salary. We run the same penny-checked 2026 math for both and show you, side by side, exactly where more of your paycheck survives federal tax, FICA, and state income tax.
State A
State B
How to use this comparison
- Pick State A and State B — say the state you live in now and one you're thinking about.
- Enter your annual salary and how often you're paid.
- Set your filing status. The two panels update instantly, and the green bar shows the yearly difference.
- Use Copy my link to send the exact comparison to someone, or Print / Save PDF for a clean one-page report.
Why your take-home changes by state
Two of the three big bites out of your paycheck are the same no matter where you live: federal income tax and FICA (Social Security and Medicare) are set by the IRS, not your state. What actually moves the needle between states is the state income tax — and a few state-specific add-ons like California's SDI.
Nine states take no income tax on wages at all: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming, and New Hampshire. Move the same salary into one of those and your whole state-tax line drops to zero. At the other end, California's top rate reaches 13.3% — the highest in the country.
The gap is real money. A single filer earning $60,000 keeps about $2,420 more per year in Texas than in California — roughly $93 every two weeks — purely because Texas has no state income tax and no SDI. Run your own number above; the spread widens as the salary climbs, since most state taxes are progressive.
Frequently asked questions
Which states have no income tax?
Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming take no state income tax on wages. New Hampshire taxes certain interest and dividends but not wages, so a regular paycheck there isn't taxed by the state either.
Why do I keep more in one state than another?
Federal tax and FICA are identical everywhere, so the difference is almost entirely the state income tax (and a few state-only items like California SDI or Oregon's transit taxes). A no-income-tax state zeroes out that whole line.
Does this include city or local taxes?
No — this compares state-level take-home. Some cities add local income tax (New York City and Yonkers, for example). For those, use the full state calculator, which includes the local option where it applies.
Is this exact?
It's a strong estimate using 2026 published rates, the standard deduction, and your filing status. It isn't exact employer withholding, which follows IRS Publication 15-T and your full W-4. For a move or job offer, treat it as a close planning number and confirm with a tax professional.