Same salary, same job, same federal tax. Yet a paycheck in one state can be thousands of dollars a year bigger than in another. The difference is entirely state and local: income tax withholding, payroll premiums for state disability and paid-leave programs, and, in some places, city or county income taxes.
This analysis ranks every state with verified 2026 data, 50 in all, by how much of a salary you actually keep. We ran the same paycheck through each state’s official 2026 withholding method at five income levels and for married couples, then took apart the results to show why states land where they do.
Every number on this page is calculated live from our tax data, so if a state publishes a correction, the rankings and figures here update with it.
Key findings
- At $75,000, the most you can take home is $61,593 a year. The least is $56,013, in Oregon. That is a gap of $5,579 a year on an identical salary.
- First place is a tie. Federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare are the same in every state, so every state with no wage tax and no employee payroll tax lands on exactly the same figure. 9 states do not tax wages at all in 2026.
- “No income tax” does not always mean nothing is deducted. Washington has no income tax, but employees pay paid-leave and long-term care premiums, so $75,000 there takes home $60,552.
- The gap widens as pay rises. Between the best and worst state it is $2,977 at $40,000 and $24,156 at $250,000.
- Local taxes can matter as much as the state you pick. At $100,000, a New York City resident takes home $70,119, against $73,842 elsewhere in New York State.
- State-only rankings flatter Maryland. Every Maryland resident also pays a county income tax. At $75,000, adding Dorchester County’s tax cuts take-home from $58,344 to $56,086.
- Payroll premiums add up. California’s State Disability Insurance takes 1.3% of every dollar of wages with no cap, so it keeps growing as income rises.
How we ranked the states
Every state in this analysis gets exactly the same paycheck. Only the state changes.
The paycheck. A single filer (a married couple in one section), paid biweekly, with a salary and nothing else: no bonus, no 401(k) or other pre-tax deductions, no dependents, and the default answers on each withholding certificate. The employee lives and works in the same state, as a resident.
What we deduct. For each state we calculate:
- Federal income tax withholding, using the IRS percentage method for Forms W-4 from 2020 or later in Publication 15-T (2026).IRS
- Social Security and Medicare (FICA): 6.2% of wages up to $184,500 and 1.45% of all wages, plus 0.9% Additional Medicare tax withheld on wages over $200,000.IRS
- State income tax withholding, using each state’s own official employer method for 2026: the formula, percentage method or tables its revenue department publishes for payroll.
- State payroll taxes the employee pays, such as disability insurance, paid family and medical leave premiums, unemployment contributions and transit taxes.
- Local income taxes, but only in the worked examples where we choose a city or county. The ranking tables use no locality, because a state-wide ranking can’t pick one city for everyone. We show below how much that matters in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio and Indiana.
What the tables show. “State + local tax” is the state income tax plus state payroll taxes (and local tax where one is chosen). “Take-home / yr” is gross pay minus every deduction above. “vs. best” is the shortfall against the top state. “Effective rate” is all taxes, federal included, as a share of gross pay.
Withholding is close to, but not the same as, your tax bill. A paycheck shows what your employer withholds, not what you finally owe. The two usually land close together for a single job with no other income, but they are calculated differently. California’s withholding tables, for example, are built separately from its tax return schedules. Arizona goes further: employees choose a withholding percentage on Form A-4, and if they don’t, employers withhold a default 2% of taxable wages, while the tax on the return is a flat 2.5% of Arizona taxable income.Arizona DOR Credits that only appear on the return, such as Pennsylvania’s Tax Forgiveness, are not in a paycheck either. The difference shows up as a refund or a balance due when you file.
Which states are ranked. Only states whose 2026 data we have fully verified against official sources. Data for the District of Columbia is still under review, so it is left out of every ranking until it is verified. Our full process is in the methodology.
The full ranking at $75,000
Here is every verified state for a single filer earning $75,000, from the most take-home pay to the least. Each state name links to its $75,000 paycheck breakdown.
| Rank | State | State + local tax | Take-home / yr | vs. best | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | $0 | $61,593 | — | 17.9% |
| 2 | Nevada | $0 | $61,593 | — | 17.9% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | $0 | $61,593 | — | 17.9% |
| 4 | South Dakota | $0 | $61,593 | — | 17.9% |
| 5 | Tennessee | $0 | $61,593 | — | 17.9% |
| 6 | Texas | $0 | $61,593 | — | 17.9% |
| 7 | Wyoming | $0 | $61,593 | — | 17.9% |
| 8 | Alaska | $271 | $61,322 | −$271 | 18.2% |
| 9 | North Dakota | $338 | $61,255 | −$338 | 18.3% |
| 10 | Washington | $1,040 | $60,552 | −$1,040 | 19.3% |
| 11 | Arizona | $1,500 | $60,093 | −$1,500 | 19.9% |
| 12 | Ohio | $1,861 | $59,731 | −$1,861 | 20.4% |
| 13 | Louisiana | $1,920 | $59,673 | −$1,920 | 20.4% |
| 14 | Indiana | $2,183 | $59,410 | −$2,183 | 20.8% |
| 15 | Mississippi | $2,262 | $59,331 | −$2,262 | 20.9% |
| 16 | Arkansas | $2,288 | $59,305 | −$2,288 | 20.9% |
| 17 | Iowa | $2,316 | $59,276 | −$2,316 | 21% |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | $2,355 | $59,238 | −$2,355 | 21% |
| 19 | Kentucky | $2,507 | $59,085 | −$2,507 | 21.2% |
| 20 | North Carolina | $2,548 | $59,045 | −$2,548 | 21.3% |
| 21 | Missouri | $2,600 | $58,993 | −$2,600 | 21.3% |
| 22 | Nebraska | $2,687 | $58,905 | −$2,687 | 21.5% |
| 23 | New Mexico | $2,748 | $58,845 | −$2,748 | 21.5% |
| 24 | West Virginia | $2,756 | $58,837 | −$2,756 | 21.6% |
| 25 | Vermont | $2,768 | $58,825 | −$2,768 | 21.6% |
| 26 | South Carolina | $2,794 | $58,799 | −$2,794 | 21.6% |
| 27 | Oklahoma | $2,834 | $58,759 | −$2,834 | 21.7% |
| 28 | Montana | $2,886 | $58,707 | −$2,886 | 21.7% |
| 29 | Michigan | $2,937 | $58,656 | −$2,937 | 21.8% |
| 30 | Georgia | $2,994 | $58,599 | −$2,994 | 21.9% |
| 31 | Idaho | $3,120 | $58,473 | −$3,120 | 22% |
| 32 | Alabama | $3,127 | $58,466 | −$3,127 | 22% |
| 33 | Maryland | $3,249 | $58,344 | −$3,249 | 22.2% |
| 34 | Utah | $3,328 | $58,265 | −$3,328 | 22.3% |
| 35 | Kansas | $3,386 | $58,207 | −$3,386 | 22.4% |
| 36 | New Jersey | $3,386 | $58,206 | −$3,386 | 22.4% |
| 37 | Colorado | $3,388 | $58,204 | −$3,388 | 22.4% |
| 38 | Virginia | $3,498 | $58,094 | −$3,498 | 22.5% |
| 39 | Illinois | $3,568 | $58,025 | −$3,568 | 22.6% |
| 40 | Rhode Island | $3,600 | $57,993 | −$3,600 | 22.7% |
| 41 | Wisconsin | $3,646 | $57,946 | −$3,646 | 22.7% |
| 42 | Massachusetts | $3,775 | $57,817 | −$3,775 | 22.9% |
| 43 | New York | $3,841 | $57,752 | −$3,841 | 23% |
| 44 | Connecticut | $3,850 | $57,743 | −$3,850 | 23% |
| 45 | Minnesota | $3,907 | $57,686 | −$3,907 | 23.1% |
| 46 | Delaware | $3,909 | $57,683 | −$3,909 | 23.1% |
| 47 | Maine | $3,963 | $57,630 | −$3,963 | 23.2% |
| 48 | California | $4,027 | $57,565 | −$4,027 | 23.2% |
| 49 | Hawaii | $4,461 | $57,131 | −$4,461 | 23.8% |
| 50 | Oregon | $5,579 | $56,013 | −$5,579 | 25.3% |
The top ten
| Rank | State | State + local tax | Take-home / yr | vs. best | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | $0 | $61,593 | — | 17.9% |
| 2 | Nevada | $0 | $61,593 | — | 17.9% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | $0 | $61,593 | — | 17.9% |
| 4 | South Dakota | $0 | $61,593 | — | 17.9% |
| 5 | Tennessee | $0 | $61,593 | — | 17.9% |
| 6 | Texas | $0 | $61,593 | — | 17.9% |
| 7 | Wyoming | $0 | $61,593 | — | 17.9% |
| 8 | Alaska | $271 | $61,322 | −$271 | 18.2% |
| 9 | North Dakota | $338 | $61,255 | −$338 | 18.3% |
| 10 | Washington | $1,040 | $60,552 | −$1,040 | 19.3% |
The top of the table is crowded, and for a simple reason. With no state income tax and no state payroll deduction, a paycheck is just federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare, which are identical everywhere. So every state in that position shares first place at $61,593, and the rank order within the tie is alphabetical.
Just below the tie come states that either have no income tax but do charge a payroll premium, or tax wages very lightly:
- Alaska has no income tax, but employees pay an unemployment insurance contribution of 0.5% on wages up to $54,200, a maximum of $271 a year.Alaska DOLWD At $75,000 Alaska takes home $61,322.
- North Dakota taxes wages, but its rates are among the lowest in the country. Its tax starts from federal taxable income, the first band is taxed at 0%, and the next rate is 1.95% for a single filer above $49,575 of taxable income.ND Tax Commissioner At $75,000, take-home is $61,255.
- Washington has no income tax but deducts two premiums, covered in detail below. Take-home: $60,552.
- Arizona has a flat 2.5% income tax, the joint-lowest top rate of any state that taxes wages, alongside North Dakota’s 2.5%. Take-home: $60,093.
After those, the table moves into states with low flat taxes or generous zero-rate bands. Ohio, for example, taxes nothing on the first $26,050 of taxable nonbusiness income and 2.75% above it.Ohio Revised Code Pennsylvania (3.07%) and Indiana (2.95%) have low flat state rates, though both have local income taxes that the state-only table leaves out.
The bottom ten
| Rank | State | State + local tax | Take-home / yr | vs. best | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | Oregon | $5,579 | $56,013 | −$5,579 | 25.3% |
| 49 | Hawaii | $4,461 | $57,131 | −$4,461 | 23.8% |
| 48 | California | $4,027 | $57,565 | −$4,027 | 23.2% |
| 47 | Maine | $3,963 | $57,630 | −$3,963 | 23.2% |
| 46 | Delaware | $3,909 | $57,683 | −$3,909 | 23.1% |
| 45 | Minnesota | $3,907 | $57,686 | −$3,907 | 23.1% |
| 44 | Connecticut | $3,850 | $57,743 | −$3,850 | 23% |
| 43 | New York | $3,841 | $57,752 | −$3,841 | 23% |
| 42 | Massachusetts | $3,775 | $57,817 | −$3,775 | 22.9% |
| 41 | Wisconsin | $3,646 | $57,946 | −$3,646 | 22.7% |
The bottom of the table at $75,000 is Oregon, where state and payroll taxes total $5,579 a year. Three patterns explain most of the states down here.
High rates that start at modest incomes. A state’s top rate makes headlines, but at $75,000 what matters is the rate on the middle of your income. Oregon taxes single filers’ taxable income above $11,400 at 8.75%, so most of a middle-class salary sits in that bracket.Oregon DOR Hawaii has many narrow brackets, and a single filer reaches 7.6% above $48,000 of taxable income.Hawaii DOTAX Minnesota’s lowest rate is already 5.35%, rising to 6.8% above $33,310.Minnesota DOR
A state payroll premium on top of income tax. California, Hawaii, Minnesota, Maine, Delaware, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and Oregon all add an employee disability or paid-leave premium to a progressive income tax. Look along the bottom rows of the table and you will see many of them. Each premium is small on its own, but it comes on top of an income tax rather than instead of one.
California is a special case. Its brackets start low (1%) and climb quickly; a single filer pays 9.3% on taxable income above $75,197.California FTB Its SDI premium of 1.3% applies to every dollar of wages. At $75,000, total taxes in California, federal included, come to $17,435, against $13,408 in Texas.
How the ranking changes with income
A state that is cheap at one salary can be expensive at another. Here is the top and bottom of the ranking at each income level we tested, all computed live:
| Salary and filing status | Highest take-home | Lowest take-home | Lowest-ranked state | Gap, best to worst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000, single | $34,320 | $31,343 | Oregon | $2,977 |
| $75,000, single | $61,593 | $56,013 | Oregon | $5,579 |
| $100,000, single | $79,180 | $71,070 | Oregon | $8,110 |
| $150,000, single | $113,791 | $99,936 | Oregon | $13,855 |
| $250,000, single | $183,182 | $159,026 | California | $24,156 |
| $150,000, married | $123,185 | $111,449 | Oregon | $11,736 |
Four forces move states up and down as income changes.
Flat taxes versus progressive brackets
In a flat-tax state, the state takes roughly the same share of every paycheck at every income, so its position in the table is stable. In a progressive state, the share grows as more income moves into higher brackets. That is why progressive states with high upper brackets drift toward the bottom as salaries rise, while flat-tax states such as Pennsylvania, Indiana and Illinois (4.95%) look relatively better at high incomes than at low ones.Illinois DOR
Top rates, and where they start
Top rates only matter once your income reaches them. California’s top rate is 13.3% and New York’s is 10.9%, but both apply only to very high incomes. New Jersey’s top rate of 10.75% starts above $1,000,000 for single filers.NJ Division of Taxation At the salaries most people earn, the rates in the middle brackets decide the ranking.
Payroll taxes with and without a wage cap
Payroll premiums behave differently from income tax. Most are a flat percentage, and many stop at a wage cap, so they take a smaller share of a big salary than a small one. New York’s Paid Family Leave contribution, for instance, is capped at $411.91 a year.NYS WCB
Some have no cap at all: California’s SDI, Washington’s WA Cares premium, Oregon’s transit tax and Pennsylvania’s unemployment contribution apply to every dollar of wages. Of these, California’s SDI has by far the highest rate, so it keeps adding to California’s state total at high salaries while capped premiums elsewhere stop growing.
Rhode Island shows the other side. Its Temporary Disability Insurance is 1.1% of wages up to $100,000, one of the highest employee premium rates in the country, which weighs most heavily on lower and middle incomes.RI DLT
Low-income bands and allowances
Several states exempt a slice of income before any tax applies, which helps most at lower salaries. North Dakota’s zero-rate band means a $40,000 single filer has no North Dakota tax withheld at all: take-home there is $34,320, the same as in a state with no income tax. Ohio’s zero-rate band and California’s low-income exemption in its withholding method work in a similar way. Delaware taxes the first $2,000 at 0%.Delaware Code
$40,000
| Rank | State | State + local tax | Take-home / yr | vs. best | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | $0 | $34,320 | — | 14.2% |
| 2 | Nevada | $0 | $34,320 | — | 14.2% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | $0 | $34,320 | — | 14.2% |
| 4 | North Dakota | $0 | $34,320 | — | 14.2% |
| 5 | South Dakota | $0 | $34,320 | — | 14.2% |
| 6 | Tennessee | $0 | $34,320 | — | 14.2% |
| 7 | Texas | $0 | $34,320 | — | 14.2% |
| 8 | Wyoming | $0 | $34,320 | — | 14.2% |
| 9 | Alaska | $200 | $34,120 | −$200 | 14.7% |
| 10 | Washington | $555 | $33,765 | −$555 | 15.6% |
| Rank | State | State + local tax | Take-home / yr | vs. best | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | Oregon | $2,977 | $31,343 | −$2,977 | 21.6% |
| 49 | Rhode Island | $1,903 | $32,417 | −$1,902 | 19% |
| 48 | Massachusetts | $1,864 | $32,456 | −$1,864 | 18.9% |
| 47 | Illinois | $1,835 | $32,485 | −$1,835 | 18.8% |
| 46 | New York | $1,799 | $32,521 | −$1,799 | 18.7% |
| 45 | Delaware | $1,703 | $32,617 | −$1,703 | 18.5% |
| 44 | Hawaii | $1,696 | $32,624 | −$1,696 | 18.4% |
| 43 | Colorado | $1,694 | $32,626 | −$1,694 | 18.4% |
| 42 | Utah | $1,664 | $32,656 | −$1,664 | 18.4% |
| 41 | Alabama | $1,629 | $32,691 | −$1,629 | 18.3% |
At $40,000, payroll premiums carry more weight because income taxes are still small. States with a high-rate payroll premium or a steep first bracket do worst. The lowest-ranked state at this salary, Oregon, pays 21.6% of pay in total taxes, against 14.2% at the top. See the full breakdowns on the $40,000 Texas and $40,000 Oregon pages.
$100,000
| Rank | State | State + local tax | Take-home / yr | vs. best | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | $0 | $79,180 | — | 20.8% |
| 2 | Nevada | $0 | $79,180 | — | 20.8% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | $0 | $79,180 | — | 20.8% |
| 4 | South Dakota | $0 | $79,180 | — | 20.8% |
| 5 | Tennessee | $0 | $79,180 | — | 20.8% |
| 6 | Texas | $0 | $79,180 | — | 20.8% |
| 7 | Wyoming | $0 | $79,180 | — | 20.8% |
| 8 | Alaska | $271 | $78,909 | −$271 | 21.1% |
| 9 | North Dakota | $832 | $78,348 | −$832 | 21.7% |
| 10 | Washington | $1,387 | $77,793 | −$1,387 | 22.2% |
| Rank | State | State + local tax | Take-home / yr | vs. best | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | Oregon | $8,110 | $71,070 | −$8,110 | 28.9% |
| 49 | California | $6,860 | $72,320 | −$6,860 | 27.7% |
| 48 | Hawaii | $6,377 | $72,803 | −$6,377 | 27.2% |
| 47 | Maine | $5,830 | $73,350 | −$5,830 | 26.7% |
| 46 | Minnesota | $5,717 | $73,463 | −$5,717 | 26.5% |
| 45 | Delaware | $5,659 | $73,521 | −$5,659 | 26.5% |
| 44 | Connecticut | $5,475 | $73,705 | −$5,475 | 26.3% |
| 43 | New York | $5,338 | $73,842 | −$5,338 | 26.2% |
| 42 | New Jersey | $5,228 | $73,952 | −$5,228 | 26% |
| 41 | Massachusetts | $5,140 | $74,040 | −$5,140 | 26% |
At $100,000 the top of the table looks much as it did at $75,000: the no-tax tie, followed by states with a small payroll premium or a very low income tax. At the other end, progressive states with high middle brackets pull further away, and the gap reaches $8,110. Compare $100,000 in California, New York and New Jersey.
$150,000
| Rank | State | State + local tax | Take-home / yr | vs. best | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | $0 | $113,791 | — | 24.1% |
| 2 | Nevada | $0 | $113,791 | — | 24.1% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | $0 | $113,791 | — | 24.1% |
| 4 | South Dakota | $0 | $113,791 | — | 24.1% |
| 5 | Tennessee | $0 | $113,791 | — | 24.1% |
| 6 | Texas | $0 | $113,791 | — | 24.1% |
| 7 | Wyoming | $0 | $113,791 | — | 24.1% |
| 8 | Alaska | $271 | $113,520 | −$271 | 24.3% |
| 9 | North Dakota | $1,794 | $111,997 | −$1,794 | 25.3% |
| 10 | Washington | $2,081 | $111,710 | −$2,081 | 25.5% |
| Rank | State | State + local tax | Take-home / yr | vs. best | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | Oregon | $13,855 | $99,936 | −$13,855 | 33.4% |
| 49 | California | $12,626 | $101,165 | −$12,626 | 32.6% |
| 48 | Maine | $10,240 | $103,551 | −$10,240 | 31% |
| 47 | Hawaii | $10,232 | $103,559 | −$10,232 | 31% |
| 46 | Minnesota | $9,602 | $104,189 | −$9,602 | 30.5% |
| 45 | Delaware | $9,159 | $104,632 | −$9,159 | 30.2% |
| 44 | New York | $8,982 | $104,809 | −$8,982 | 30.1% |
| 43 | Connecticut | $8,975 | $104,816 | −$8,975 | 30.1% |
| 42 | New Jersey | $8,938 | $104,853 | −$8,938 | 30.1% |
| 41 | Vermont | $7,978 | $105,813 | −$7,978 | 29.5% |
At $150,000 the gap between first and last reaches $13,855 a year. Single filers here are into Oregon’s top bracket of 9.9%, which starts above $125,000 of taxable income.
$250,000
| Rank | State | State + local tax | Take-home / yr | vs. best | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | $0 | $183,182 | — | 26.7% |
| 2 | Nevada | $0 | $183,182 | — | 26.7% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | $0 | $183,182 | — | 26.7% |
| 4 | South Dakota | $0 | $183,182 | — | 26.7% |
| 5 | Tennessee | $0 | $183,182 | — | 26.7% |
| 6 | Texas | $0 | $183,182 | — | 26.7% |
| 7 | Wyoming | $0 | $183,182 | — | 26.7% |
| 8 | Alaska | $271 | $182,911 | −$271 | 26.8% |
| 9 | Washington | $2,939 | $180,243 | −$2,939 | 27.9% |
| 10 | North Dakota | $3,744 | $179,438 | −$3,744 | 28.2% |
| Rank | State | State + local tax | Take-home / yr | vs. best | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | California | $24,156 | $159,026 | −$24,156 | 36.4% |
| 49 | Oregon | $24,062 | $159,120 | −$24,062 | 36.4% |
| 48 | Minnesota | $18,237 | $164,945 | −$18,237 | 34% |
| 47 | Hawaii | $18,132 | $165,050 | −$18,132 | 34% |
| 46 | Maine | $17,901 | $165,282 | −$17,901 | 33.9% |
| 45 | New York | $16,923 | $166,259 | −$16,923 | 33.5% |
| 44 | Connecticut | $16,323 | $166,859 | −$16,323 | 33.3% |
| 43 | New Jersey | $16,026 | $167,156 | −$16,026 | 33.1% |
| 42 | Delaware | $15,897 | $167,285 | −$15,897 | 33.1% |
| 41 | Vermont | $15,688 | $167,494 | −$15,688 | 33% |
At $250,000, the bottom spot can change hands: compare the lowest-ranked state at $150,000 and at $250,000 in the summary table above. Two things happen at this income. Capped payroll premiums stop growing, because wages pass the cap, while California’s uncapped SDI keeps growing with every dollar. Federal changes at this income, such as Social Security stopping at its wage base, hit every state equally, so they do not change the order.
Married couples at $150,000
| Rank | State | State + local tax | Take-home / yr | vs. best | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | $0 | $123,185 | — | 17.9% |
| 2 | Nevada | $0 | $123,185 | — | 17.9% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | $0 | $123,185 | — | 17.9% |
| 4 | South Dakota | $0 | $123,185 | — | 17.9% |
| 5 | Tennessee | $0 | $123,185 | — | 17.9% |
| 6 | Texas | $0 | $123,185 | — | 17.9% |
| 7 | Wyoming | $0 | $123,185 | — | 17.9% |
| 8 | Alaska | $271 | $122,914 | −$271 | 18.1% |
| 9 | North Dakota | $1,794 | $121,391 | −$1,794 | 19.1% |
| 10 | Washington | $2,081 | $121,104 | −$2,081 | 19.3% |
| Rank | State | State + local tax | Take-home / yr | vs. best | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | Oregon | $11,736 | $111,449 | −$11,736 | 25.7% |
| 49 | Hawaii | $8,981 | $114,204 | −$8,981 | 23.9% |
| 48 | Delaware | $8,834 | $114,351 | −$8,834 | 23.8% |
| 47 | New York | $8,731 | $114,454 | −$8,731 | 23.7% |
| 46 | Minnesota | $8,073 | $115,112 | −$8,073 | 23.3% |
| 45 | California | $8,054 | $115,131 | −$8,054 | 23.2% |
| 44 | Connecticut | $8,000 | $115,185 | −$8,000 | 23.2% |
| 43 | Virginia | $7,757 | $115,428 | −$7,757 | 23% |
| 42 | Maine | $7,718 | $115,467 | −$7,718 | 23% |
| 41 | Massachusetts | $7,673 | $115,512 | −$7,673 | 23% |
Filing jointly changes the picture because many states give married couples wider brackets. California’s joint brackets are double its single ones: the 9.3% rate starts above $150,394 for a married couple, against $75,197 for a single filer. So a $150,000 married couple in California has the same state income tax withheld as two $75,000 single filers would. Compare California’s place in the single and married $150,000 tables. Pennsylvania and other flat-tax states, which have no brackets to widen, gain less. The lowest-ranked state for this couple is Oregon.
Our ranking uses the married filing jointly W-4 status with one job. If both spouses work, each employer withholds separately and the result differs; the paycheck calculator has the W-4 Step 2 option for that case.
No-wage-tax states and what they still deduct
9 states do not tax wages in 2026:
| State | Wage income tax | Top rate | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | None | — | Alaska does not tax wages or other individual income. |
| Florida | None | — | Florida does not tax wages or other personal income; the state constitution limits any personal income tax. |
| Nevada | None | — | Nevada does not tax wages or other individual income. |
| New Hampshire | None | — | No income tax on wages; the interest and dividends tax was repealed starting with 2025. |
| South Dakota | None | — | South Dakota does not impose a state income tax, so no state tax is withheld from wages. |
| Tennessee | None | — | Tennessee does not tax wages; its former Hall tax on interest and dividends was repealed starting with 2021. |
| Texas | None | — | Texas does not tax wages or any other individual income; the state constitution prohibits a personal income tax. |
| Washington | None | — | Washington does not tax wages in 2026; a new 9.9% tax on adjusted gross income over $1 million starts in 2028. |
| Wyoming | None | — | Wyoming does not tax wages or other individual income. |
On a paycheck, most of them look identical, because the only deductions are federal. Two are different:
- Washington deducts a Paid Family and Medical Leave premium of 0.807% of gross wages, up to $184,500 of wages, and the WA Cares long-term care premium of 0.58%, with no cap.Washington ESD
- Alaska deducts an employee unemployment insurance contribution, capped at $271 a year.
The others raise money in other ways, mainly sales and property taxes. Texas, for example, charges a state sales tax of 6.25%Texas Comptroller, and Florida 6%Florida Department of Revenue, before local add-ons. Our guide to states with no income tax in 2026 covers what each of them taxes instead.
Inside the states: worked examples
Rankings compress a lot into one number. The worked examples below show every line of the paycheck, and what happens when you add the city or county taxes that state-wide rankings leave out. All are single filers paid biweekly.
California vs Texas at $120,000
This is the comparison most people ask about. Federal tax, Social Security and Medicare are the same in both columns; everything else is California.
| Line | Every 2 weeks | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $4,615 | $120,000 |
| Federal income tax | -$676 | -$17,570 |
| Social Security | -$286 | -$7,440 |
| Medicare | -$67 | -$1,740 |
| State income tax | -$293 | -$7,607 |
| CA SDI | -$60 | -$1,560 |
| Take-home pay | $3,234 | $84,083 |
| Line | Every 2 weeks | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $4,615 | $120,000 |
| Federal income tax | -$676 | -$17,570 |
| Social Security | -$286 | -$7,440 |
| Medicare | -$67 | -$1,740 |
| Take-home pay | $3,587 | $93,250 |
California takes home $84,083 and Texas $93,250. Two California lines make the difference:
- Income tax. At this salary a single filer’s top dollars fall in California’s 9.3% bracket. Employers follow Method B, the exact calculation method, in the EDD’s DE 44 guide.California EDD
- SDI. The 1.3% premium funds both disability insurance and Paid Family Leave, and since 2024 all wages are subject to it.California EDD
The Texas paycheck has no state lines at all: Texas has no state income tax.Texas Comptroller Compare the $120,000 California and $120,000 Texas pages for per-paycheck detail.
New York City vs Yonkers vs the rest of New York
New York State’s income tax is the same everywhere in the state. What changes is local tax: New York City residents pay a graduated city income tax, Yonkers residents pay a surcharge on their state tax, and no other New York localities tax wages.NYS DTF
| $100,000, single | Total taxes / yr | Take-home / yr | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York State, outside NYC and Yonkers | $26,158 | $73,842 | 26.2% |
| Yonkers | $26,978 | $73,022 | 27% |
| New York City | $29,881 | $70,119 | 29.9% |
| Line | Every 2 weeks | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $3,846 | $100,000 |
| Federal income tax | -$507 | -$13,170 |
| Social Security | -$238 | -$6,200 |
| Medicare | -$56 | -$1,450 |
| State income tax | -$188 | -$4,895 |
| NY SDI | -$1 | -$31 |
| NY PFL | -$16 | -$412 |
| New York City | -$143 | -$3,723 |
| Take-home pay | $2,697 | $70,119 |
The Yonkers resident surcharge is 16.75% of the New York State tax, not of wages, so it scales with the state bill.NYS DTF New York City’s tax is a separate graduated tax with its own withholding tables. Nonresidents who work in the city do not pay New York City income tax.
New York also has two small payroll deductions: a disability benefits contribution of 0.5% of wages, capped at $0.60 a week, and the Paid Family Leave contribution of 0.432%, capped at $411.91 a year.NYS WCB Because the ranking table above uses no locality, New York’s place in it is the upstate figure. A New York City resident would rank much lower. See the $100,000 New York page and pick a locality.
Philadelphia vs Pittsburgh vs the suburbs
Pennsylvania’s state tax is a flat 3.07% with no standard deduction or personal exemption.PA Department of Revenue Employees also pay an unemployment compensation contribution of 0.07% of gross wages with no cap.PA Dept. of Labor & Industry That makes the state cheap. The local layer does not: nearly every Pennsylvania municipality and school district levies an earned income tax, and most add a flat Local Services Tax.
| $75,000, single | Local rate (resident) | Take-home / yr | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| State tax only (no locality) | None | $59,238 | 21% |
| Lower Merion Township | 0% earned income tax + Local Services Tax | $59,186 | 21.1% |
| Upper Darby Township | 1% + Local Services Tax | $58,436 | 22.1% |
| Pittsburgh | 3% + Local Services Tax | $56,936 | 24.1% |
| Philadelphia | 3.735% Wage Tax | $56,434 | 24.8% |
The local rates come from the Department of Community and Economic Development’s official tax registerPA DCED and the City of Philadelphia.City of Philadelphia A few details matter:
- Philadelphia’s Wage Tax is on gross pay. The city lists 401(k) deferrals and pre-tax benefits as subject to Wage Tax, so saving for retirement does not lower it.City of Philadelphia Philadelphia’s rate changed on July 1, so we use half a year at each rate. People who work in Philadelphia but live elsewhere pay the lower nonresident rate of 3.425%.
- Pittsburgh’s rate is split between the city and the Pittsburgh School District, and the city adds a Local Services Tax of $52 a year.
- The suburbs vary widely. Lower Merion’s resident earned income tax is zero, but it still charges the Local Services Tax; Upper Darby’s is one of the more common suburban rates.
A $75,000 earner in Philadelphia takes home less than one in many states with much higher state income taxes. That is invisible in any state-only ranking. See the $75,000 Pennsylvania page and choose your municipality.
Maryland’s highest vs lowest county
Maryland is the clearest case of a state ranking that looks better than reality. Its state rates top out at 6.5%, which sounds moderate. But every Maryland resident also pays a local income tax to their county or Baltimore City, withheld along with the state tax.Comptroller of Maryland
| $75,000, single | County rate | Take-home / yr | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| State tax only (as in the ranking) | Not included | $58,344 | 22.2% |
| Worcester County (lowest rate) | 2.25% | $56,805 | 24.3% |
| Montgomery County | 3.2% | $56,155 | 25.1% |
| Dorchester County (highest rate, tied with Kent) | 3.3% | $56,086 | 25.2% |
| Line | Every 2 weeks | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $2,885 | $75,000 |
| Federal income tax | -$295 | -$7,670 |
| Social Security | -$179 | -$4,650 |
| Medicare | -$42 | -$1,087 |
| State income tax | -$125 | -$3,249 |
| Dorchester County local tax | -$87 | -$2,257 |
| Take-home pay | $2,157 | $56,086 |
For comparison, the lowest take-home in the state-only ranking at $75,000 is $56,013. Put the Dorchester figure next to that and it is clear that, once the county tax is added, Maryland belongs much lower than its state-only place in the table. Anne Arundel and Frederick counties use income-based brackets instead of one rate, so their rate depends on your income.
Maryland has no employee payroll premium in 2026. Its paid family and medical leave program (FAMLI) does not start payroll deductions until January 1, 2027.Maryland FAMLI See the $75,000 Maryland page to pick your county.
Oregon: high brackets, two payroll taxes and Portland’s local taxes
Oregon’s position in the ranking comes from its brackets, not its top rate. A single filer pays 4.75% on the first $4,550 of taxable income, 6.75% up to $11,400, and 8.75% from there to $125,000. Oregon’s standard deduction for a single filer is also small, at $2,910. Oregon does let you subtract part of the federal income tax you pay, and its withholding formula builds that in, but it doesn’t offset the high middle bracket.Oregon DOR
| Line | Every 2 weeks | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $2,885 | $75,000 |
| Federal income tax | -$295 | -$7,670 |
| Social Security | -$179 | -$4,650 |
| Medicare | -$42 | -$1,087 |
| State income tax | -$194 | -$5,054 |
| OR transit tax | -$3 | -$75 |
| Paid Leave Oregon | -$17 | -$450 |
| Take-home pay | $2,154 | $56,013 |
Two payroll deductions sit on top:
- Statewide Transit Tax: 0.1% of wages, no cap. It applies to Oregon residents wherever they work, and to nonresidents who work in Oregon.Oregon DOR
- Paid Leave Oregon: the employee share is 0.6% of wages up to $184,500. Larger employers pay the rest of the contribution.Oregon Employment Dept.
High earners in the Portland area pay more. The Metro Supportive Housing Services tax is 1% and Multnomah County’s Preschool for All tax is 1.5%, rising to 3% above $400,000. Employers must withhold them automatically for employees who earn $200,000 or more.Multnomah CountyMetro
| Line | Every 2 weeks | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $9,615 | $250,000 |
| Federal income tax | -$1,973 | -$51,304 |
| Social Security | -$440 | -$11,439 |
| Medicare | -$139 | -$3,625 |
| Additional Medicare | -$17 | -$450 |
| State income tax | -$873 | -$22,705 |
| OR transit tax | -$10 | -$250 |
| Paid Leave Oregon | -$43 | -$1,107 |
| Metro SHS tax | -$14 | -$372 |
| Multnomah County PFA tax | -$21 | -$558 |
| Take-home pay | $6,084 | $158,191 |
At $250,000 the Portland-area taxes reduce take-home from $159,120 to $158,191. This is a clear case of withholding differing from liability: on the returns, these taxes are owed on Oregon taxable income above lower thresholds for single filers than the withholding threshold, so some single filers who earn less than the withholding threshold still owe them when they file. The county also says the Preschool for All rates are scheduled to rise from January 1, 2027.
New Jersey’s three payroll deductions
New Jersey has no standard deduction; it gives a personal exemption of $1,000 instead. Its brackets step up quickly in the middle: 3.5% above $35,000, 5.525% above $40,000, and 6.37% above $75,000 for single filers.
| Line | Every 2 weeks | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $3,846 | $100,000 |
| Federal income tax | -$507 | -$13,170 |
| Social Security | -$238 | -$6,200 |
| Medicare | -$56 | -$1,450 |
| State income tax | -$178 | -$4,617 |
| NJ UI/WF/SWF | -$7 | -$190 |
| NJ SDI | -$7 | -$190 |
| NJ FLI | -$9 | -$230 |
| Take-home pay | $2,844 | $73,952 |
New Jersey workers also pay into three state programs, each with its own cap:NJ Dept. of Labor
| Program | Employee rate | Wages subject to it | Maximum per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment / Workforce Development / Supplemental Workforce Fund | 0.425% | First $44,800 | $190.40 |
| Temporary Disability Insurance | 0.19% | First $171,100 | $325.09 |
| Family Leave Insurance | 0.23% | First $171,100 | $393.53 |
Because all three are capped, they matter most at lower salaries. The New Jersey income tax itself is withheld under the NJ-WT percentage method.NJ Division of Taxation See the $100,000 New Jersey page for per-paycheck amounts.
Washington: no income tax, two premiums
Washington is the best example of why “no income tax” and “no state deductions” are different things.
| Line | Every 2 weeks | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $2,885 | $75,000 |
| Federal income tax | -$295 | -$7,670 |
| Social Security | -$179 | -$4,650 |
| Medicare | -$42 | -$1,087 |
| WA Paid Leave | -$23 | -$605 |
| WA Cares | -$17 | -$435 |
| Take-home pay | $2,329 | $60,552 |
The Paid Family and Medical Leave premium is 0.807% of gross wages for the employee’s share, and stops at $184,500 of wages, the Social Security wage base. The WA Cares premium is 0.58% of all wages, with no cap. Some employees are exempt from WA Cares, including people with an approved exemption such as qualifying private long-term care insurance, and some out-of-state residents and military spouses; employers may also choose to pay the employee’s share of the leave premium.Washington ESD
Washington is also the one no-income-tax state where that is due to change. A 9.9%Washington Department of Revenue tax on adjusted gross income above $1,000,000 takes effect in 2028; it does not affect 2026 wages. See the $75,000 Washington page.
Ohio and Indiana: low state taxes, local taxes almost everywhere
Ohio and Indiana both sit high in the state-only ranking, but most residents pay a local tax too.
- Indiana: every county levies a local income tax, withheld at the rate of the county where you lived on January 1, on the same taxable pay as the state tax. Rates in our data run from 0.5% in Porter County to 3% in Randolph County.Indiana DOR At $75,000 that moves take-home from $59,410 (state only) to $57,190 in Randolph County.
- Ohio: most cities and villages levy their own flat income tax on wages. Columbus charges residents 2.5%,Ohio Dept. of Taxation so $75,000 there takes home $57,856 against $59,731 with no city tax. Many Ohio school districts add an income tax of their own, which our calculator does not include.
Payroll taxes that income tax rankings miss
Lists of “states with the lowest income tax” usually ignore employee payroll premiums. Yet they come out of the same paycheck, and in a few states they are a large part of the state total. Here are the main employee-paid state payroll taxes in our 2026 data. (New Mexico also deducts a small workers’ compensation fee, which is included in its paycheck figures.)
| State | Program | Employee rate | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | Unemployment insuranceAlaska DOLWD | 0.5% | First $54,200 of wages |
| California | State Disability Insurance, incl. Paid Family LeaveCalifornia EDD | 1.3% | No cap |
| Colorado | FAMLI paid leave, employee shareColorado FAMLI | 0.44% | First $184,500 |
| Connecticut | CT Paid LeaveCT Paid Leave Authority | 0.5% | First $184,500 |
| Delaware | Delaware Paid Leave, employee shareDelaware DOL | 0.4% | First $184,500 |
| Hawaii | Temporary Disability InsuranceHawaii DLIR | 0.5% | $7.50 a week |
| Maine | Paid Family and Medical Leave, employee shareMaine DOL | 0.5% | First $184,500 |
| Massachusetts | Paid Family and Medical LeaveMass.gov | 0.46% | First $184,500 |
| Minnesota | Minnesota Paid Leave, employee shareMinnesota DEED | 0.44% | First $185,000 |
| New Jersey | UI/WF/SWF, TDI and FLI (three programs, see above) | 0.425%, 0.19%, 0.23% | Separate wage bases |
| New York | Disability benefits and Paid Family Leave | 0.5% and 0.432% | $0.60 a week; $411.91 a year |
| Oregon | Statewide Transit Tax and Paid Leave Oregon | 0.1% and 0.6% | No cap; first $184,500 |
| Pennsylvania | Unemployment compensation | 0.07% | No cap |
| Rhode Island | Temporary Disability / Caregiver Insurance | 1.1% | First $100,000 |
| Vermont | Child Care Contribution, employee share (if withheld)Vermont Dept. of Taxes | Up to 0.11% | No cap |
| Washington | Paid Family and Medical Leave and WA Cares | 0.807% and 0.58% | First $184,500; WA Cares no cap |
A few things to know about these:
- Several caps match Social Security. Many paid-leave programs stop at the Social Security wage base, $184,500 in 2026, so above that salary the premium stops growing.
- Your employer may pay some or all of it. Some programs let employers cover the employee share, and some employers with private plans use different rates. Our calculator assumes the employee pays the maximum share under the state plan, so your own deduction may be lower.
- They buy benefits. Unlike income tax, these premiums fund specific insurance: paid time off for illness, a new child or caring for family, or long-term care. That doesn’t change your take-home pay, but it is part of the comparison.
Moving or working remotely
Rankings like these are a starting point, not a decision. If you are thinking about moving, or your job lets you work from another state, keep these general points in mind. This is not tax or legal advice, and the rules depend on the states involved.
- Your home state usually taxes you as a resident. The ranking assumes you live and work in the same state. When you move, your old state may keep treating you as a resident until you have clearly established a new permanent home, and you will usually file part-year returns for the year you move.
- The state where you work can tax wages earned there. Some local taxes follow work location too. Philadelphia taxes nonresidents who work in the city at its nonresident rate, and Oregon’s transit tax applies to nonresidents working in Oregon. New York City is the reverse: nonresidents who work there don’t pay its income tax.
- Local rules have their own timing. Indiana county tax, for example, follows the county where you lived on January 1, so a mid-year move within the state may not change your county withholding until the next year.
- Payroll programs follow employment. Paid-leave and disability premiums generally depend on where you work. In Washington, some out-of-state residents can apply for an exemption from WA Cares.
- Tell payroll. Update your home and work addresses with your employer, then check your first pay stub after the change. A wrong state or locality code is one of the most common payroll errors.
What the ranking does not include
Take-home pay is the part of your tax bill you can see on every paycheck, but it is not the whole bill. This ranking does not include:
- Sales taxes. States without a wage tax often lean on sales tax. Washington’s state sales tax rate is 6.5%Washington Department of Revenue, Nevada’s base rate is 6.85%Nevada Department of Taxation, and both allow local additions. How much you pay depends on how much you spend and where.
- Property taxes, which are set locally and depend on the home you own or, indirectly, the rent you pay.
- Cost of living. Housing, insurance, childcare and transport often vary more between places than taxes do.
- Local income taxes, unless you pick a locality: the ranking tables leave them out. Use the worked examples above and the state pages to add yours.
- Other income and investment taxes. Washington taxes long-term capital gains at 7%Washington Department of Revenue even though it does not tax wages.
- Credits on your return. Refundable credits, low-income forgiveness programs and itemized deductions only show up when you file.
- Pre-tax deductions. A 401(k) or HSA lowers taxable wages, but states treat them differently. California, for example, does not exclude HSA contributions from state wages, and Pennsylvania does not exclude 401(k) deferrals. The paycheck calculator handles each state’s rules.
A fair comparison puts your take-home pay next to your likely costs in each place.
Compare your own salary
The ranking above uses fixed examples. Enter your own salary and filing status to rank every verified state for you:
$61,593
- Lowest take-home
- $56,013
- Difference
- $5,579
- States with no wage income tax
- 9
- 1 of 51 states are still being checked against official sources, so they show "Data under review" and aren't ranked.
- Assumes you live and work in the same state. City and county income taxes aren't included.
Highest take-home: $61,593 a year in Florida + 6 more
| Line | Florida | Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $75,000 | $75,000 |
| Federal income tax | −$7,670 | −$7,670 |
| Social Security & Medicare | −$5,738 | −$5,738 |
| State income tax | $0 | −$5,054 |
| State payroll taxes | $0 | −$525 |
| Take-home pay | $61,593 | $56,013 |
Every state, same salary
$75,000 salary, paid every 2 weeks. Highlighted states don't tax wages. Tap a state for its full paycheck breakdown.
| Florida | $0 | $0 | $13,408 | $61,593 | $2,369 | 17.9% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | $0 | $0 | $13,408 | $61,593 | $2,369 | 17.9% |
| New Hampshire | $0 | $0 | $13,408 | $61,593 | $2,369 | 17.9% |
| South Dakota | $0 | $0 | $13,408 | $61,593 | $2,369 | 17.9% |
| Tennessee | $0 | $0 | $13,408 | $61,593 | $2,369 | 17.9% |
| Texas | $0 | $0 | $13,408 | $61,593 | $2,369 | 17.9% |
| Wyoming | $0 | $0 | $13,408 | $61,593 | $2,369 | 17.9% |
| Alaska | $0 | $271 | $13,679 | $61,322 | $2,359 | 18.2% |
| North Dakota | $338 | $0 | $13,746 | $61,255 | $2,356 | 18.3% |
| Washington | $0 | $1,040 | $14,448 | $60,552 | $2,329 | 19.3% |
| Arizona | $1,500 | $0 | $14,907 | $60,093 | $2,311 | 19.9% |
| Ohio | $1,861 | $0 | $15,269 | $59,731 | $2,297 | 20.4% |
| Louisiana | $1,920 | $0 | $15,327 | $59,673 | $2,295 | 20.4% |
| Indiana | $2,183 | $0 | $15,590 | $59,410 | $2,285 | 20.8% |
| Mississippi | $2,262 | $0 | $15,670 | $59,331 | $2,282 | 20.9% |
| Arkansas | $2,288 | $0 | $15,696 | $59,305 | $2,281 | 20.9% |
| Iowa | $2,316 | $0 | $15,724 | $59,276 | $2,280 | 21% |
| Pennsylvania | $2,303 | $53 | $15,763 | $59,238 | $2,278 | 21% |
| Kentucky | $2,507 | $0 | $15,915 | $59,085 | $2,273 | 21.2% |
| North Carolina | $2,548 | $0 | $15,956 | $59,045 | $2,271 | 21.3% |
| Missouri | $2,600 | $0 | $16,008 | $58,993 | $2,269 | 21.3% |
| Nebraska | $2,687 | $0 | $16,095 | $58,905 | $2,266 | 21.5% |
| New Mexico | $2,739 | $9 | $16,155 | $58,845 | $2,263 | 21.5% |
| West Virginia | $2,756 | $0 | $16,164 | $58,837 | $2,263 | 21.6% |
| Vermont | $2,685 | $83 | $16,175 | $58,825 | $2,262 | 21.6% |
| South Carolina | $2,794 | $0 | $16,201 | $58,799 | $2,261 | 21.6% |
| Oklahoma | $2,834 | $0 | $16,242 | $58,759 | $2,260 | 21.7% |
| Montana | $2,886 | $0 | $16,294 | $58,707 | $2,258 | 21.7% |
| Michigan | $2,937 | $0 | $16,344 | $58,656 | $2,256 | 21.8% |
| Georgia | $2,994 | $0 | $16,401 | $58,599 | $2,254 | 21.9% |
| Idaho | $3,120 | $0 | $16,528 | $58,473 | $2,249 | 22% |
| Alabama | $3,127 | $0 | $16,534 | $58,466 | $2,249 | 22% |
| Maryland | $3,249 | $0 | $16,656 | $58,344 | $2,244 | 22.2% |
| Utah | $3,328 | $0 | $16,736 | $58,265 | $2,241 | 22.3% |
| Kansas | $3,386 | $0 | $16,793 | $58,207 | $2,239 | 22.4% |
| New Jersey | $2,881 | $505 | $16,794 | $58,206 | $2,239 | 22.4% |
| Colorado | $3,058 | $330 | $16,796 | $58,204 | $2,239 | 22.4% |
| Virginia | $3,498 | $0 | $16,906 | $58,094 | $2,234 | 22.5% |
| Illinois | $3,568 | $0 | $16,975 | $58,025 | $2,232 | 22.6% |
| Rhode Island | $2,775 | $825 | $17,007 | $57,993 | $2,230 | 22.7% |
| Wisconsin | $3,646 | $0 | $17,054 | $57,946 | $2,229 | 22.7% |
| Massachusetts | $3,430 | $345 | $17,183 | $57,817 | $2,224 | 22.9% |
| New York | $3,485 | $355 | $17,248 | $57,752 | $2,221 | 23% |
| Connecticut | $3,475 | $375 | $17,257 | $57,743 | $2,221 | 23% |
| Minnesota | $3,577 | $330 | $17,314 | $57,686 | $2,219 | 23.1% |
| Delaware | $3,609 | $300 | $17,317 | $57,683 | $2,219 | 23.1% |
| Maine | $3,588 | $375 | $17,371 | $57,630 | $2,217 | 23.2% |
| California | $3,052 | $975 | $17,435 | $57,565 | $2,214 | 23.2% |
| Hawaii | $4,086 | $375 | $17,869 | $57,131 | $2,197 | 23.8% |
| Oregon | $5,054 | $525 | $18,987 | $56,013 | $2,154 | 25.3% |
| District of Columbia | Data under review | — | — | — | — | — |
To see a single state’s full paycheck, open its page: for example Texas, California, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Maryland, New Jersey or Washington. Salary pages such as $50,000 in Florida, $60,000 in Ohio, $80,000 in Illinois, $90,000 in Massachusetts and $150,000 in Minnesota show every line per paycheck. For how each line is calculated, read how paycheck taxes work in 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Which state has the highest take-home pay in 2026?
Several states tie. For a single filer at $75,000, the highest take-home pay is $61,593, shared by every state that has no wage income tax and no employee payroll tax, because the only deductions there are federal. States with no income tax but a payroll premium, such as Washington and Alaska, come just below.
Which state takes the most out of a paycheck?
It depends on your salary. At $75,000 the lowest take-home among verified states is in Oregon; at $250,000 it is California. Once local taxes are added, residents of New York City, Philadelphia or a high-rate Maryland county can take home less than residents of almost any state in the state-only ranking: at $75,000, a New York City resident keeps $55,091.
How much more would I take home in Texas than in California?
At $75,000 for a single filer, Texas takes home $61,593 and California $57,565 a year. The difference grows with income, because California’s brackets rise and its SDI premium has no cap. Use the state comparison for your own salary, and remember that sales tax, property tax and housing costs differ too.
Is a state with no income tax always the best for take-home pay?
On wages alone, a no-income-tax state is at or very near the top at every salary we tested. But “no income tax” is not the same as “no state deductions”: Washington deducts paid-leave and WA Cares premiums, and Alaska an unemployment contribution. A no-tax state may also have higher sales or property taxes, which this ranking does not include.
Why does this ranking differ from other “best states” lists?
Three reasons. We rank actual paycheck withholding under each state’s official 2026 method, not just headline rates. We include employee payroll taxes such as SDI and paid-leave premiums, which most income tax lists ignore. And we leave out local taxes unless you choose a locality, because no single city represents a whole state.
Does filing jointly change which states are best?
Yes. Many states give married couples wider brackets, so progressive states look better for a married household than for a single filer on the same income. At $150,000, the lowest-ranked state for a married couple is Oregon, while for a single filer it is Oregon.
Are these figures my actual tax bill?
No. They show what employers withhold from each paycheck under the 2026 withholding methods. Your final tax depends on your return: other income, credits, deductions and, in some states, rules that differ between withholding and the return. If too much or too little was withheld, you get a refund or owe the difference when you file.
Sources
Every figure on this page is calculated from our data files, which record the official source document, the date we retrieved it and notes for each rate. The main sources are:
- IRS, Publication 15-T (2026), Federal Income Tax Withholding Methods
- IRS, Publication 15 (2026), (Circular E), Employer’s Tax Guide
- California EDD, DE 44, 2026 California Employer’s Guide and Contribution Rates, Withholding Schedules, and Meals and Lodging Values
- New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, NYS-50-T-NYS, NYS-50-T-NYC and NYS-50-T-Y (1/26); NYS Workers’ Compensation Board, 2026 Paid Family Leave payroll deduction notice
- New Jersey Division of Taxation, NJ-WT withholding instructions and income tax rates; NJ Department of Labor, Rate Information (2026)
- Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, Personal Income Tax; PA DCED, EIT / PIT / LST Tax Register; City of Philadelphia, Tax Rate History
- Comptroller of Maryland, Maryland Withholding Tax Facts 2026
- Oregon Department of Revenue, Withholding Tax Formulas (2026) and Statewide Transit Tax; Multnomah County, Preschool for All withholding handbook (2026); Metro, SHS Employer Handbook 2026
- Washington Employment Security Department, Employer Wage Reporting and Premiums Toolkit (June 2026); Washington Department of Revenue, Income tax
- Indiana Department of Revenue, Departmental Notice #1 (2026); Ohio Department of Taxation, Municipal Income Tax Rates (The Finder)
- Every other state’s revenue and labor department sources, linked from its state paycheck page
How we collect, check and update these figures is described in our methodology. These are estimates, not tax advice; see the disclaimer.