Take-Home Pay by State

Why Your State Matters More Than You Think

Federal income tax is the same whether you live in Manhattan or Cheyenne. FICA doesn't change either. What does change — dramatically — is your state income tax, and that single variable can swing your annual take-home pay by $5,000 to $10,000 or more on the same salary.

The No-Tax Nine

Nine states levy zero individual income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. On an $85,000 salary, that means roughly $3,000–$5,000 more in your pocket compared to a median-tax state. But "no income tax" doesn't mean "low tax" — Texas relies heavily on property tax (among the nation's highest), and Washington has a steep 6.5% sales tax plus local additions that can push it past 10%.

Flat-Rate vs. Progressive States

About 15 states use a flat tax rate — one percentage applied to all taxable income. That makes the math simple and predictable: Colorado charges 4.4%, Illinois 4.95%, and Georgia 5.49% regardless of income level. Progressive states like California (1%–13.3%) and New York (4%–10.9%) tax higher earners at steeper rates, which means the map changes significantly if you adjust the salary slider.

The Local Tax Wildcard

This map shows state-level tax only, but about a dozen states permit cities and counties to add their own income taxes. New York City's can reach 3.876%, effectively making New York one of the most expensive places to earn a paycheck in the country. Parts of Ohio, Maryland, and Pennsylvania also add local taxes that significantly affect take-home pay. Use our Paycheck Calculator to factor in local taxes for a precise estimate.

Beyond Income Tax: The Full Picture

When deciding where to live — or evaluating a job offer in another state — income tax is only one piece. Consider property taxes (our State Tax & Housing Comparison tool covers this), sales taxes, cost of living, and quality of public services. A state with no income tax but high property taxes and expensive housing may not save you money in practice. The map above gives you the income tax piece — use it alongside the other calculators for the complete view.