How the calculator works
- Salary: your yearly pay before tax.
- Filing status: single, married filing jointly or head of household.
- Your state: the one to compare. The calculator works out take-home pay in every state and ranks them.
Federal income tax and FICA are the same everywhere, so the differences come from state income tax and a few state payroll charges.
The gap grows with your salary
Take-home pay a year for a single filer, in the states with no income tax and in the state that leaves the least:
| Salary | No state income tax | Lowest | Gap a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $42,355 | $38,801 (Oregon) | $3,554 |
| $75,000 | $61,593 | $56,013 (Oregon) | $5,580 |
| $100,000 | $79,180 | $71,332 (Oregon) | $7,848 |
| $150,000 | $113,791 | $99,936 (Oregon) | $13,855 |
| $250,000 | $183,182 | $159,120 (Oregon) | $24,062 |
State income tax takes a bigger amount as pay rises, so the difference between the states widens the more you earn.
Take-home pay in the biggest states
A year, for a single filer, after federal, state and payroll taxes. Each state links to its paycheck calculator:
| State | On $50,000 | On $100,000 | On $150,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $40,732 | $72,969 | $102,280 |
| Texas | $42,355 | $79,180 | $113,791 |
| Florida | $42,355 | $79,180 | $113,791 |
| New York | $40,005 | $73,877 | $105,057 |
| Pennsylvania | $40,785 | $76,040 | $109,081 |
| Illinois | $40,025 | $74,375 | $106,511 |
| Ohio | $41,424 | $76,867 | $110,103 |
| Georgia | $40,609 | $74,939 | $107,055 |
| North Carolina | $40,869 | $75,699 | $108,315 |
| Michigan | $40,481 | $75,181 | $107,667 |
Why take-home pay differs between states
- State income tax: nine states don’t tax wages. The rest use one flat rate or brackets that rise with income. See state income tax rates.
- State payroll charges: a few states take a small share of pay for disability insurance, paid family leave or long-term care, such as California, New Jersey, New York and Washington.
- City and county taxes: some places, such as New York City and Philadelphia, tax income too. They aren’t included here, but the paycheck calculator adds them.
Before you move
Tax is only part of the picture: rent, house prices and insurance vary far more between states. The states with no income tax guide explains the trade-offs. Weighing two jobs in different places? The job offer calculator compares them, with city taxes and bonuses.