US Tax Tools

State Tax Comparison Calculator

Compare the total tax burden between any two US states. See federal, state, and FICA taxes side by side to find which state saves you more money.

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Compare State Tax Burden
Texas saves you $4,378 per year compared to California on $100,000 of income, with an effective rate of 21.10% vs 25.48%.
Save $4,378/year in Texas?Run the full move analysis
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Total Tax Burden
California$25,477 (25.48%)
Texas$21,099 (21.10%)
California vs Texas
Federal Tax (same)
California$13,449
Texas$13,449
State Tax
California$4,378
Texas$0
FICA (same)
California$7,650
Texas$7,650
Total Tax
California$25,477
Texas$21,099
Take-Home
California$74,523
Texas$78,901
Effective Rate
California25.48%
Texas21.10%
Annual Savings
$4,378 — live in Texas vs California

The $4,378 difference is primarily because California has a progressive income tax with rates up to 13.3%, while Texas has no state income tax. At your income level, California's marginal rate is 9.3%.

Why the difference

You'd save $4,378/year ($365/month) in Texas vs California.

$4,378

Tax structure

California uses progressive brackets up to 13.3%, while Texas has no state income tax.

$4,378

Effective rate at your income

At $100,000, Texas's effective state rate is 0.0% vs 4.4% in California — a 4.4 percentage point gap.

Tip: California's progressive brackets mean your effective rate is much lower than 13.3% for most earners. At $100,000, the effective state rate is approximately 5.8%. Consider maximizing 401(k) contributions and HSA to reduce California-taxable income.

Tip: While you save on income tax, Texas property taxes can exceed $5,000-$10,000/year on a median-priced home. Factor in property tax when comparing total tax burden against income-tax states where property taxes may be lower.

You save $891 vs 2024

California Total Tax

$25,477

25.48% effective rate

Texas Total Tax

$21,099

21.10% effective rate

Annual Savings

$4,378

by living in Texas

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Frequently asked questions

Which states have no income tax?

Nine states currently have no individual income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. Note that New Hampshire taxes interest and dividend income, though it is phasing that out. While these states collect no income tax, they may offset lost revenue through higher sales taxes, property taxes, or other fees.

How does state tax affect total tax burden?

State income tax is layered on top of federal income tax and FICA (Social Security and Medicare) taxes. Depending on your income and the state, state tax can add anywhere from 0% to over 13% of your taxable income. State taxes are generally deductible on your federal return up to the SALT cap: under OBBBA (2025+) that cap is $40,000 ($20,000 MFS), phasing out above $500,000 MAGI toward a $10,000 floor. Pre-OBBBA (2018–2024) it was $10,000.

Should I move to a no-income-tax state?

Moving to a no-income-tax state can produce meaningful savings, especially at higher income levels, but it is rarely the only factor to consider. Cost of living, property taxes, sales taxes, housing costs, and quality of public services all vary significantly between states. Use this calculator to quantify the income tax difference, then weigh that against other financial and lifestyle factors before making a decision.

Do state taxes apply to remote workers?

Generally, you owe income tax to the state where you physically perform your work, not necessarily where your employer is based. If you work remotely from one state for a company headquartered in another, you typically owe tax only to your state of residence. However, some states have "convenience of the employer" rules that can tax income earned remotely if you could have worked from the employer's office. Always consult a tax professional if you work across state lines.

Sources

Related insights

Use these guides for rule explanations, planning context, and follow-up questions beyond the calculator result.

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Last updated May 14, 2026 Tax year 2025-26

Data sources: IRS (irs.gov), Social Security Administration

This tool is general information only, not financial advice.

Reviewed by USTax Tools Editorial Desk

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