State Tax Comparison Calculator
Compare income tax between two states to see which one saves you more.
Side-by-Side Comparison
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Official Tax Rate Sources
This calculator provides estimates only. It uses the standard deduction and does not account for itemized deductions, tax credits, local/city taxes, or other adjustments. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation. U.S. federal and state taxes only.
This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional financial, medical, legal, or engineering advice. See Terms of Service.
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Request a ToolHow to Use the State Tax Comparison Calculator
This calculator compares your total tax burden in two different states so you can see exactly how much you would save (or pay extra) by living in one state over another. Here is how to use it:
- Select your tax year. Choose 2026 (current year) or 2025 (for filing). The calculator uses the official IRS brackets and state rates for each year.
- Choose your filing status. Single, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, or Head of Household. This affects your tax brackets, standard deduction, and FICA thresholds.
- Pick two states. State A defaults to California and State B defaults to Texas. Select any two states (or D.C.) from the dropdowns to compare.
- Enter your income. Wage income is subject to FICA taxes. Other ordinary income and long-term capital gains are taxed at different rates.
- Review the comparison. The result card shows the annual savings, and the table breaks down federal tax, state tax, FICA, NIIT, total tax, effective rate, and take-home pay for both states side by side.
About State Tax Comparison
State income taxes vary widely across the United States. Nine states have no income tax on wages, while others like California tax top earners above 13%. Moving from a high-tax state to a low-tax or no-tax state can save thousands of dollars per year, especially at higher income levels.
This calculator computes the full tax picture for both states, including federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and the Net Investment Income Tax. Federal taxes stay the same regardless of your state, so the difference comes entirely from the state tax line. The comparison table makes this easy to see at a glance.
All calculations run in your browser. No data is sent to any server.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do federal taxes change depending on which state I live in?
No. Federal income tax brackets, FICA, and the Net Investment Income Tax are the same regardless of your state. The only difference between two states is the state income tax itself. This calculator shows both the identical federal components and the differing state tax so you can see the full picture.
Which states have no income tax?
Eight states have no individual income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming. Washington state taxes only capital gains (not wages). These states often have higher sales taxes or property taxes to make up the difference.
Does this calculator include local or city taxes?
No. This calculator covers federal and state income tax, FICA, and NIIT. Some cities and localities impose additional income taxes (for example, New York City, Portland, and several Ohio cities). These are not included. The actual difference between two locations may be larger when local taxes are considered.
How much can I save by moving to a no-income-tax state?
The savings depend on your income level and your current state. Someone earning $100,000 in California could save roughly $4,000 to $6,000 per year by moving to Texas or Florida. At $200,000, the savings grow to $10,000 or more. Use this calculator with your actual income to get a personalized estimate.