How to read the comparison
The calculator runs the full paycheck engine for both states using your salary, filing status, children and 401(k) contribution. Federal income tax and FICA are the same everywhere, so the difference comes from state income tax and state payroll programs (for example California SDI or New York paid family leave). The ranking below the table runs all 50 states plus DC so you can see where yours falls.
Example: $90,000 salary, California vs. Texas vs. New York
| State | State tax + programs | Annual take-home | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $5,310 | $66,835 | $5,570 |
| Texas | $0 | $72,145 | $6,012 |
| New York | $4,690 | $67,455 | $5,621 |
| Illinois | $4,310 | $67,835 | $5,653 |
| Pennsylvania | $2,763 | $69,382 | $5,782 |
| Massachusetts | $4,694 | $67,451 | $5,621 |
The gap between the lowest and highest of these is $5,310 a year between Texas and California. But a higher-tax state may also offer higher pay, which is why the calculation is only one input in a relocation decision.
What state taxes can and cannot tell you
Income tax structure matters
Flat-tax states (such as Pennsylvania, Illinois and North Carolina) apply one rate to most income. Progressive states (California, New York, Oregon, Minnesota) tax higher slices at higher rates, so their effective rate rises with income. At lower incomes, a progressive state with a generous standard deduction can be cheaper than a flat-tax state.
Payroll premiums are easy to miss
A growing number of states and DC run paid family leave or disability programs funded partly by employee payroll deductions. California, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Hawaii have long-running programs; Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Maryland and Delaware have added newer ones. The comparison includes the employee share where this site models it.
Taxes beyond income
Property taxes, sales taxes, vehicle fees and the cost of housing often outweigh the income-tax difference. Pair this tool with the sales tax calculator and with state-specific paycheck pages.
How the comparison is calculated
Both sides use the same salary, filing status, children and 401(k) percentage, and only the state changes. The tool computes federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare once, since they do not depend on the state, and then adds each state’s income tax and payroll programs, such as California SDI or Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave premiums. The difference between the two net pay figures is the annual cost or benefit of living in one state instead of the other, based on wage taxes only.
Using the comparison in a relocation decision
- Compare the same job in both places first. That isolates the effect of taxes.
- Then compare the actual offers. A salary that is higher in an expensive state may offset its taxes.
- Add the cost of living. Housing, insurance, property and sales taxes can matter more than income tax. The sales tax calculator shows the sales tax side.
- Check residency rules. If you live in one state and work in another, you may owe tax to both. Many states give a credit to avoid double taxation, but not always in full.
The calculator does not include local income taxes unless you enter a local rate, property taxes, state-specific credits that depend on details such as dependents or age, or state estimated payments for self-employed workers. For the full list of simplifications, see the methodology page.