Texas Take-Home Pay: What You Keep After Taxes (2026)
Texas has no state income tax — meaning your paycheck is reduced only by federal income tax and FICA. This guide explains exactly what that means in dollars: how much you keep at common salary and hourly levels, how Texas compares to California and New York, and what actually comes out of a Texas paycheck.
On this page: What you keep · What comes out · Texas vs other states · Hourly workers · Moving to Texas · FAQs
How much do you actually keep in Texas? (2026)
Here's the bottom line — after federal income tax and FICA, with zero state income tax deducted (single filer, standard deduction, 2026 rates):
| Annual Salary | Texas Take-Home (Annual) | Texas Take-Home (Monthly) | Effective Total Rate | vs California |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | ~$31,700/yr | ~$2,642/mo | ~21% | +$2,400/yr vs CA |
| $50,000 | ~$39,800/yr | ~$3,317/mo | ~20% | +$2,400/yr vs CA |
| $60,000 | ~$47,800/yr | ~$3,983/mo | ~20% | +$4,000/yr vs CA |
| $75,000 | ~$59,500/yr | ~$4,958/mo | ~21% | +$4,700/yr vs CA |
| $100,000 | ~$76,600/yr | ~$6,383/mo | ~23% | +$7,700/yr vs CA |
| $120,000 | ~$90,100/yr | ~$7,508/mo | ~25% | +$9,900/yr vs CA |
| $150,000 | ~$109,600/yr | ~$9,133/mo | ~27% | +$13,900/yr vs CA |
Single filer, standard deduction, 2026 federal + FICA rates. No Texas state income tax applied. California column uses CA progressive rates + SDI. For your exact number, use the Texas take-home pay calculator.
What actually comes out of a Texas paycheck?
A Texas paycheck has exactly three deductions. No more, no less:
| Deduction | Rate | On $100k salary (annual) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | 10–37% (progressive) | ~$14,500/yr | At $100k, effective federal rate is approximately 14–15% |
| Social Security (FICA) | 6.2% of wages | ~$6,200/yr | Wage base $176,100 (2026); employer matches 6.2% |
| Medicare (FICA) | 1.45% of wages | ~$1,450/yr | No wage cap; employer matches; extra 0.9% above $200k |
| Texas state income tax | 0% | $0 | Texas has no state income tax on wages |
| Texas city income tax | 0% | $0 | No city income tax in Houston, Dallas, Austin, or San Antonio |
| Total deductions | ~22–23% effective | ~$22,150/yr | Take-home: ~$77,850 before pre-tax deductions |
Compare: in California, a $100,000 salary carries approximately $5,500 in state income tax + $1,100 in SDI on top of the same federal and FICA deductions — pushing total deductions to approximately $29,300/year vs $22,150 in Texas. That $7,150 difference is the entire Texas advantage in a single number.
To understand how federal brackets work on your salary, see marginal vs effective tax rates. For a full explanation of how each tax layer reduces gross pay, see federal vs state vs payroll taxes.
Texas take-home pay vs California, New York, and Florida (2026)
The same gross salary produces very different take-home pay depending on where you live. Here's the side-by-side comparison at the most commonly searched salary levels:
| Salary | Texas | Florida | California | New York (upstate) | New York City |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | ~$47,800 | ~$47,800 | ~$43,800 | ~$43,900 | ~$41,500 |
| $75,000 | ~$59,500 | ~$59,500 | ~$54,800 | ~$54,600 | ~$51,600 |
| $100,000 | ~$76,600 | ~$76,600 | ~$68,900 | ~$70,000 | ~$65,200 |
| $150,000 | ~$109,600 | ~$109,600 | ~$95,700 | ~$100,200 | ~$92,800 |
Single filer, standard deduction, 2026 rates. FICA included in all figures. NYC column includes NY state + NYC city income tax. Use state calculators for exact figures: California · New York · Florida.
Why Florida and Texas are identical
Florida also has no state income tax, so take-home pay in Florida and Texas is essentially the same at every salary level. The choice between them comes down to cost of living, housing, climate, and job market — not income tax. See Florida take-home pay to confirm the numbers match.
Why California workers keep so much less
California's state income tax is progressive, starting at 1% and reaching 13.3% at the highest incomes. For a $100,000 earner, the effective California state rate is approximately 5.5% — adding roughly $5,500/year in deductions that Texas workers simply don't pay. At $150,000, California's effective state rate climbs to approximately 8%, making the annual gap nearly $14,000. This is why the Texas vs California comparison is the most commonly searched take-home pay question on this site.
Texas take-home pay for hourly workers (2026)
Hourly workers in Texas benefit from the same no-state-tax advantage as salaried workers. Here's what you keep at common hourly rates (40 hrs/week, federal + FICA only):
| Hourly Rate | Annual Gross | Texas Take-Home (Weekly) | Texas Take-Home (Annual) | vs California (Weekly) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $15/hour | $31,200 | ~$540/wk | ~$28,100/yr | ~$459/wk (CA) |
| $20/hour | $41,600 | ~$700/wk | ~$36,400/yr | ~$614/wk (CA) |
| $25/hour | $52,000 | ~$855/wk | ~$44,500/yr | ~$763/wk (CA) |
| $30/hour | $62,400 | ~$1,005/wk | ~$52,300/yr | ~$893/wk (CA) |
| $35/hour | $72,800 | ~$1,145/wk | ~$59,500/yr | ~$1,014/wk (CA) |
For biweekly estimates and full hourly take-home calculations, use the Texas hourly paycheck tax calculator.
Moving to Texas from a high-tax state: is it worth it?
The income tax savings from moving to Texas are real and substantial — but they don't exist in a vacuum. Here's an honest accounting:
What you gain
At $100,000, you gain approximately $7,700/year in after-tax income vs California and $6,400/year vs upstate New York. At $150,000, approximately $14,000/year vs California. Over a 10-year career at $150,000, that's potentially $140,000 in additional take-home pay from state tax savings alone — before any investment returns on that money.
What to factor in
Texas has above-average property taxes — typically 1.6–2.5% of assessed home value per year, significantly higher than California's Proposition 13 cap of approximately 1.1%. On a $400,000 home, that's $6,400–$10,000/year in property taxes vs approximately $4,400/year in California. For homeowners, this partially offsets the income tax savings. For renters, the income tax saving is essentially pure gain.
Texas also has no state income tax on retirement income — Social Security, pension, 401(k), and IRA withdrawals are all state-tax-free. This makes Texas particularly advantageous for high earners approaching retirement.
For a full state-by-state income comparison including all salary levels, see best states for take-home pay or use the state take-home pay comparison tool to model your specific salary across multiple states at once.
Ready to calculate your exact Texas take-home pay?
- Texas take-home pay calculator Enter your salary and see annual, monthly, and weekly net pay instantly
- Texas hourly paycheck calculator For hourly workers — $20/hr = ~$700/wk · $30/hr = ~$1,005/wk
- Compare take-home pay by state Side-by-side: Texas vs California, New York, Florida, or any state
- Best states for take-home pay (ranked) Full state ranking at $50k, $75k, and $100k salary levels
Moving to Texas? File your taxes correctly
Relocating from a high-tax state means filing a part-year return in your old state and potentially dealing with source-state income rules. These tools handle it automatically:
- TurboTax — handles relocation, part-year state returns, and W-2 income in Texas
- FreeTaxUSA — free federal filing, no Texas state return needed
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Texas take-home pay: FAQs
How much do you actually take home on a $100,000 salary in Texas?
On a $100,000 salary in Texas, take-home pay is approximately $76,600/year ($6,383/month) after federal income tax and FICA. Texas has no state income tax, so no additional state deduction applies. In California, the same salary yields approximately $68,900/year — $7,700 less annually.
What taxes come out of a Texas paycheck?
Texas paychecks have three deductions only: federal income tax (10–37% progressive, effective 12–22% for most workers), Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%). There is no Texas state income tax, no Texas SDI, and no city income tax in Houston, Dallas, Austin, or San Antonio.
Is Texas take-home pay really higher than California?
Yes, at every salary level. At $75,000, Texas workers keep approximately $4,700 more per year than California workers. At $100,000, $7,700 more. At $150,000, nearly $14,000 more. The difference comes entirely from California's state income tax — Texas workers pay zero state income tax. Use the California take-home calculator to verify for your specific salary.
How much more do you keep in Texas vs New York?
At $100,000, Texas workers take home approximately $76,600 vs $70,000 in upstate New York — $6,600 more per year. For NYC residents, the gap is larger: approximately $76,600 in Texas vs $65,200 in NYC — $11,400 more per year in Texas due to combined NY state and NYC city taxes.
Does moving to Texas from California actually save money?
On income taxes alone, yes — significantly. At $100,000, you save approximately $7,700/year in state income tax. At $150,000, approximately $14,000/year. Over 10 years, that's $77,000–$140,000 in additional take-home pay before cost-of-living differences. Property taxes in Texas are higher than California's Proposition 13 rates — this partially offsets the savings for homeowners but not for renters.
Does Texas have high property taxes to compensate for no income tax?
Yes. Texas property tax rates typically run 1.6–2.5% of assessed value per year, compared to California's approximate 1.1% Proposition 13 cap. On a $400,000 home, this means $6,400–$10,000/year in Texas vs approximately $4,400/year in California. For income take-home pay, property taxes are irrelevant — they don't affect your paycheck. But for total financial planning, they're an important offset to factor in.
How much is $20 an hour after taxes in Texas?
At $20/hour (40 hrs/week) in Texas, take-home is approximately $700/week, $1,400 biweekly, or $36,400/year after federal income tax and FICA. No state income tax applies. In California, the same rate yields approximately $614/week — $86 less per week or $4,472 less per year. For a full hourly breakdown, use the Texas hourly paycheck calculator.