Multi-state tool
Compare take-home pay by US state
Enter a salary and see what you would actually keep in all 50 states plus DC, ranked from most to least. The comparison holds your salary and filing status fixed and changes only the state layer, so the differences you see come purely from how each state taxes income, not from anything else. That makes it a clean way to weigh a move or a remote-work relocation, since federal tax and FICA are the same everywhere and only the state rules move the result. No-income-tax states are flagged, and states that use graduated brackets can shift up or down the list as you change the salary.
Ranked by take-home pay (federal tax + FICA + state income tax). Percentage is the effective tax rate. Excludes local taxes and deductions.
How it works
- Your salary runs through 2026 federal income tax, FICA, and each state’s income tax.
- Federal tax and FICA are identical in every state, so the only thing that moves the ranking is the state income-tax layer on top.
- Each state applies its own rules: some charge nothing on wages, some use a single flat rate, and others run graduated brackets that tax higher slices of income at higher rates.
- States are ranked by take-home pay, so the top of the list keeps the most.
- The percentage is the effective tax rate, the total tax as a share of salary. No-income-tax states usually rank highest on this measure, though bracketed states can move around the list as the salary changes.
Frequently asked questions
Which states have no income tax?+
Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming have no state income tax. New Hampshire taxes only interest and dividends, not wages, so wage earners keep more there too.
Does a no-income-tax state always mean more take-home?+
For income tax, yes, but those states often raise revenue through higher sales or property taxes, which this salary comparison does not capture. It compares take-home pay only.
Does this include local or city taxes?+
No. It covers federal income tax, FICA and state income tax. Some cities add a local income tax that is not included.
How is the ranking calculated?+
Your salary is run through each state’s 2026 rules and ranked by net take-home pay. The percentage shown is the effective tax rate.
Why do flat-tax and bracketed states rank differently?+
A flat-rate state charges the same percentage on every dollar of taxable income, while a bracketed state applies rising rates to higher slices. At lower salaries a graduated state can beat a flat one, and at higher salaries the order can flip, which is why the ranking shifts as you change the salary.
Should I decide where to live on take-home pay alone?+
No. Take-home pay is only one side of the ledger. Housing, sales tax, property tax and the general cost of living can outweigh a smaller income-tax bill, so treat this ranking as a starting point and weigh the full cost of a place before relocating.
Does remote work change which state taxes me?+
Often yes. In most cases the state where you live and physically work taxes your wages, but a few states tax income sourced to an employer located there, which can lead to filing in two states. Check both your home state and your employer state before assuming the ranking here is the whole story.
Why can two neighboring states rank far apart?+
Because each state sets its own structure independently. One may levy no income tax while the state next door runs graduated brackets that climb steeply, so the border can mark a real gap in take-home pay for the same salary. That contrast is exactly what the ranking is built to surface.
Estimate for general guidance, not tax advice. Federal + FICA + state income tax for a single or married-jointly filer with the standard deduction; excludes local taxes, property and sales taxes, and deductions. Confirm with official sources before relocating for tax reasons.
Reviewed by Vikas Dulgunde.