State Tax Comparison Calculator - Compare Taxes Across States
Free state tax comparison calculator to compare income taxes across multiple states with accurate 2025 tax rates and side-by-side results
State Tax Comparison
What is a State Tax Comparison Calculator?
A State Tax Comparison Calculator is a free financial tool that compares income taxes across 2-4 states side-by-side. Enter your income and filing status to see state tax, federal tax, FICA, total tax, effective rate, and net take-home pay for each state you select.
This calculator is essential for:
- Relocation Decisions - Compare tax burdens before moving between states
- Job Offers - Evaluate multiple job offers in different states with tax impact
- Retirement Planning - Find tax-friendly states for retirement income
- Remote Work - Determine optimal state for remote workers who can live anywhere
- Tax Optimization - See potential savings by establishing residency in lower-tax states
To calculate detailed California state taxes with federal breakdown, check out our California Tax Calculator to see how CA's 13.3% top rate impacts your specific tax situation.
For understanding New York's complex progressive tax system, explore our New York Tax Calculator to determine your exact NY state tax liability before comparing states.
To see maximum tax savings with zero state income tax, use our Texas Tax Calculator to understand how living in Texas eliminates state tax entirely.
For viewing all 50 states ranked by tax burden, try our Income Tax Comparison by State to identify the lowest and highest tax states nationwide.
To calculate per-paycheck withholdings in different states, check our Paycheck Tax Calculator to see actual take-home amounts for budget planning.
How the Calculator Works
The calculation uses 2025 state and federal tax brackets:
Step 1: Enter Income and Select States
Input income, filing status, dependents, and choose 2-4 states to compare
Step 2: Calculate Federal Tax
Apply 2025 federal brackets: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, 37%
Step 3: Calculate State Tax for Each State
Apply state-specific progressive rates or flat rates (0% for 9 states)
Step 4: Calculate FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare (same for all states)
Step 5: Display Side-by-Side Results
Show total tax, effective rate, and net income for each state
Key State Tax Comparison Concepts
No Income Tax States
9 states have no income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming.
Progressive vs Flat Tax
Some states use progressive brackets (higher income = higher rate), while others use flat rates for all income levels.
Effective Tax Rate
Total tax divided by gross income shows actual percentage paid, different from top marginal rate.
Relocation Impact
Moving from high-tax California to no-tax Texas can save $6,000-$50,000+ annually depending on income.
Remote Work Opportunity
Remote workers can optimize taxes by establishing residency in lower-tax states while working for companies anywhere.
Total Tax Burden
Consider income tax, sales tax, and property tax together for complete cost of living comparison.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter Annual Income
Input your gross annual income before deductions (e.g., $100,000)
Select Filing Status
Choose single, married filing jointly, or head of household
Add Dependents
Enter number of dependents for federal tax credits
Choose 2-4 States
Select states to compare from all 50 states plus DC
Calculate Results
Click Compare States to see side-by-side tax comparison
Review Differences
Compare total tax, effective rate, and net take-home for each state
Benefits of Using This Calculator
- • Side-by-Side Comparison: See 2-4 states compared directly with identical income assumptions.
- • Complete Tax Picture: Shows state, federal, FICA, total tax, and net take-home for full comparison.
- • Relocation Planning: Make informed decisions about where to live based on tax impact.
- • Job Offer Evaluation: Compare net pay for job offers in different states accounting for taxes.
- • All 50 States Supported: Choose from any US state including the 9 states with no income tax.
- • Instant Results: Get immediate tax comparisons with 2025 rates for accurate planning.
Factors That Affect State Tax Comparisons
1. Income Level Impact
High earners see larger absolute savings in low-tax states, while low earners may pay little state tax anywhere due to standard deductions.
2. Progressive vs Flat Rates
Progressive states tax higher incomes at higher rates. Flat-rate states (like Colorado at 4.4%) tax all income equally.
3. Standard Deductions Vary
State standard deductions differ. Some states have higher deductions, reducing taxable income more than others.
4. Federal Taxes Unchanged
Federal income tax and FICA are the same regardless of state. Only state tax varies in comparisons.
5. Local Taxes Matter
Some states have local income taxes (NYC adds 3-4%). Calculator shows state tax only - check local rates separately.
6. Other Taxes to Consider
Low-income-tax states often have higher sales or property taxes. Consider total tax burden, not just income tax.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I compare income taxes between states?
Use this calculator to select 2-4 states, enter your income and filing status, and instantly see side-by-side comparison of state income tax, total tax liability, and effective tax rates. The calculator includes all 50 states plus Washington DC.
Which states have the highest and lowest income taxes?
California has the highest top rate at 13.3%, followed by Hawaii (11%) and New York (10.9%). Nine states have no income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.
How much can I save by moving to a lower tax state?
Tax savings vary by income level. For example, someone earning $100,000 in California pays approximately $6,000-$9,000 in state tax, while the same person in Texas pays $0. High earners save even more - potentially $25,000-$50,000 annually.
Does this calculator include federal taxes?
Yes, this calculator shows both state income tax and federal income tax for complete comparison. It also includes FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare) so you can see total tax liability and net take-home pay for each state.