What we found
- Workers in the 9 states without a wage income tax (Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Wyoming, Alaska, Washington) keep the most, though a few still have employee payroll programs such as paid family leave.
- On a $75,000 salary, the difference between the best and worst state is about $6,251 a year.
- The gap widens at higher salaries, because states with graduated brackets tax each extra dollar at a higher rate.
How we calculated this
Each figure is gross salary minus 2026 federal income tax (standard deduction of $16,100 for single filers), Social Security (6.2% up to $184,500), Medicare (1.45%), the state's income tax using its published brackets, deductions and credits, and employee-paid state payroll taxes such as disability and paid-leave insurance. Maryland figures include a 3.20% county income tax, the rate most Maryland counties charge in 2026. Other local and city income taxes are not included, which matters most in Indiana (every county taxes income), New York City, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan cities. * California uses its 2025 tax tables because 2026 tables were not yet published. Full details are on our methodology page.
Using this data
Journalists, teachers and bloggers are welcome to use these figures. Please credit “HomeMoney Calc” with a link to this page. Need a different salary or filing status? Use the paycheck calculator and its “Same salary, other states” ranking.