Paycheck Comparison Calculator
A job offer in another state is not comparable until you have run it after tax. Put the same salary through two states here and see the difference per year and per paycheck.
Tax year 2026 · Updated 2026-08-29 · Federal, state and local withholding · Free, no sign-up
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How to read the comparison
Federal income tax and FICA are identical in both columns, because they do not vary by state. Every difference you see comes from three places: the state income tax schedule, any local income tax, and employee-paid social insurance premiums such as disability or paid family leave.
That last category is the one most comparisons omit, and it can reverse a conclusion. Washington has no income tax but withholds roughly 1.39% of wages for paid leave and long-term care, so it is meaningfully more expensive than Texas despite both being 'no income tax' states.
Common moves, compared
These are the state pairs people actually search for, at a $120,000 salary for a single filer.
| Move | From take-home | To take-home | Annual difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| California → Texas | $84,790 | $93,250 | $8,460 |
| New York City → Florida | $82,241 | $93,250 | $11,009 |
| Illinois → Tennessee | $87,455 | $93,250 | $5,795 |
| New Jersey → Pennsylvania | $87,102 | $88,230 | $1,128 |
| Oregon → Washington | $82,740 | $91,585 | $8,846 |
| Massachusetts → New Hampshire | $86,918 | $93,250 | $6,332 |
Treat these as the tax half of the decision only. Property tax, sales tax, housing and insurance frequently move in the opposite direction — Texas and New Hampshire both fund themselves through property taxes that are among the highest in the country.
The remote-work complication
Moving states while keeping the same employer does not automatically move your tax. Your withholding follows where the work is performed, but several states assert a claim anyway. New York's convenience of the employer rule taxes a remote employee's full wages as New York-source if they work outside the state for their own convenience rather than the employer's necessity. Connecticut, Delaware, Nebraska and Pennsylvania apply similar rules.
Our multi-state guide covers resident credits, part-year returns and what to tell payroll when you move mid-year.
Frequently asked questions
Which state has the lowest taxes on a paycheck?
For wage income, the nine states with no income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. Among those, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming take literally nothing, while Washington and Alaska withhold small social-insurance premiums.
How much more do I need to earn to break even after moving?
Divide your current take-home by the new state's take-home percentage. Moving from Texas to California on $120,000, you would need roughly $131,973 to keep the same net pay.
Do I pay tax in both states if I move mid-year?
Usually you file a part-year resident return in each, splitting income by the period you lived in each state. You are not taxed twice on the same income, but you do file twice.