Best States for Take-Home Pay 2026: Compare All 50 States After Taxes
Your gross salary doesn’t tell the full story. This guide compares the best U.S. states for take-home pay by showing how state income taxes affect what you actually keep.
On this page: Quick takeaway · Compare tool · State tax comparison · How taxes affect take-home · FAQs
Need a head-to-head comparison for your exact salary? Try the state take-home pay comparison tool.
Quick takeaway: States with no state income tax (like Texas, Florida, and Washington) usually deliver the highest take-home pay for the same gross salary. High-tax states (like California and New York) often reduce net pay the most.
Compare take-home pay in 2–3 states (2026)
Enter one salary, then compare estimated annual take-home pay side-by-side. This uses the same tax logic as our state calculators (federal + state).
Estimates only. Single filer assumptions (same as the page). Excludes local taxes, FICA, and deductions.
Hourly Paycheck Tax Calculator
Estimate your hourly take-home pay after taxes (federal + payroll). For state income tax, use your state calculator.
This ranking is based on how federal, state, and payroll taxes combine to reduce gross income. For a broader comparison, see our take-home pay by state guide .
Want the full picture across all 50 states? Start with our take-home pay by state guide, then see how federal, state, and payroll taxes combine on a typical paycheck.
State income tax rates compared (2026)
How much state income tax reduces your paycheck depends on the rate structure. Here's how major states compare:
| State | State Tax Rate on Wages | Take-Home on $75k | Difference vs No-Tax State | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 0% (no state income tax) | ~$59,500 | Baseline | Calculate |
| Florida | 0% (no state income tax) | ~$59,500 | Same as Texas | Calculate |
| Washington | 0% (no state income tax on wages) | ~$59,500 | Same as Texas | Calculate |
| Arizona | 2.5% flat | ~$57,800 | -$1,700/year vs TX | — |
| Colorado | 4.4% flat | ~$56,200 | -$3,300/year vs TX | — |
| New York | 4–10.9% progressive | ~$55,100 | -$4,400/year vs TX | Calculate |
| California | 1–13.3% progressive | ~$54,800 | -$4,700/year vs TX | Calculate |
| Oregon | 4.75–9.9% progressive | ~$54,200 | -$5,300/year vs TX | — |
Estimates for single filer, $75k gross, standard deduction, 2026 rates. Excludes FICA, local taxes, and deductions. Use state calculators for your exact take-home.
States with no state income tax (wages)
If your goal is maximizing take-home pay, states with no state income tax on wages are often the first place to look.
For the most accurate comparison, use the same salary and filing assumptions across states.
Best states for remote workers: take-home pay comparison
Remote workers have flexibility to choose where they live. Here's how state taxes affect take-home pay for common remote work salaries:
| Salary | Best Choice: TX/FL/WA | Mid-Tax: CO/AZ | High-Tax: CA/NY | Annual Savings (Best vs High-Tax) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | ~$47,800 | ~$45,900 | ~$43,800 | +$4,000/year in TX vs CA |
| $80,000 | ~$62,700 | ~$60,000 | ~$56,800 | +$5,900/year in TX vs CA |
| $100,000 | ~$76,600 | ~$73,200 | ~$68,900 | +$7,700/year in TX vs CA |
| $120,000 | ~$90,100 | ~$85,900 | ~$80,200 | +$9,900/year in TX vs CA |
| $150,000 | ~$109,600 | ~$103,900 | ~$95,700 | +$13,900/year in TX vs CA |
Key insight: At $100k, living in Texas instead of California saves approximately $7,700/year in state income taxes. At $150k, that difference grows to nearly $14,000/year — enough to meaningfully affect financial decisions. Estimates only (2026 rates, single filer, standard deduction).
For high earners, the difference between states becomes even more significant. See the best states for high income earners for a detailed breakdown above $150k.
How Taxes Affect Take-Home Pay
Differences in take-home pay across states are largely driven by how taxes are applied. A useful way to compare tax impact is through the effective tax rate.
If this concept is new, start here: What Is an Effective Tax Rate?
Take-home pay rankings provide a national overview, but results can differ significantly depending on local tax rules. For a deeper breakdown, explore our state-by-state take-home pay guide and the detailed explanation of how taxes reduce gross income.
High salaries don’t always mean higher take-home pay. See a detailed breakdown of What you keep in California take-home pay after taxes to understand how state taxes reduce net income.
Looking for Canadian take-home pay comparisons?
Take-home pay varies widely across Canada as well. If you are comparing income across provinces, see our full breakdown: Best provinces for take-home pay in Canada .
Best states for take-home pay: FAQs
Which U.S. state has the highest take-home pay?
States with no state income tax — Texas, Florida, Washington, Nevada, and Tennessee — consistently offer the highest take-home pay for the same gross salary. On a $75,000 salary, workers in these states take home approximately $59,500 (2026 estimate, single filer, standard deduction). In California, the same salary yields approximately $54,800 — a difference of $4,700/year.
How much more do you keep in Texas vs California?
On a $75,000 salary, you keep approximately $4,700 more per year in Texas than California. On a $100,000 salary, the difference grows to approximately $7,700/year. On $150,000, it reaches nearly $14,000/year. This is because California has a progressive state income tax of 1–13.3%, while Texas has no state income tax. Use the Texas calculator and California calculator to compare your specific salary.
What is the best state for take-home pay on $20/hour?
At $20/hour ($41,600/year), workers in Texas, Florida, and Washington take home approximately $33,900/year. In California, the same rate yields approximately $32,000/year — about $1,900 less annually. Use the Texas hourly calculator or California hourly calculator for precise estimates.
Which states have no income tax?
Nine states currently have no state income tax on wages: Texas, Florida, Washington, Nevada, Tennessee, Wyoming, South Dakota, Alaska, and New Hampshire (NH exempts wages but taxes some investment income). This means workers in these states only pay federal income tax and FICA (Social Security + Medicare), keeping more of every paycheck.
Does a higher salary always mean higher take-home pay?
Not always. Moving from a no-tax state to a high-tax state can reduce take-home pay even on a significantly higher salary. For example, a $90,000 salary in California yields approximately $66,300 take-home — less than a $80,000 salary in Texas ($62,700). The salary premium needs to exceed the tax difference to actually improve your net pay.
Do local taxes affect take-home pay?
Yes, significantly in some areas. New York City residents pay an additional 3.078–3.876% city income tax on top of state tax, reducing take-home pay substantially. Similarly, some Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky cities impose local income taxes. These are not reflected in state-level estimates — use city-specific calculators where available.
What is the best state for remote workers' taxes?
For remote workers, Texas, Florida, and Washington offer the best combination of no state income tax and quality of life. At $100,000, you save approximately $7,700/year compared to California and $4,400/year compared to New York. Over a 10-year career, that's $77,000–$140,000 in additional take-home pay from state tax savings alone.
Is this financial advice?
No. All estimates are for educational purposes only based on 2026 tax rates. Actual take-home pay depends on filing status, deductions, benefits, local taxes, and individual circumstances. Consult a tax professional for personalized advice.
State calculators: California · California hourly · Texas · Texas hourly · Florida · New York · Washington