How much state tax changes your pay
On a $75,000 salary (single filer), the most expensive state in our list is New York, where state income tax and payroll programs come to $3,808 a year. In a state with no income tax, the same worker keeps about $61,592 after federal taxes. The next most expensive are Massachusetts ($3,775) and California ($3,640).
At $150,000 the order shifts because progressive states tax higher income at higher rates: California costs $11,511, New York $8,253 and New Jersey $8,185. Flat-tax states rise in a straight line instead.
Three kinds of state income tax
- No tax on wages (9): Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming. Only federal taxes and any state payroll program come out of a paycheck.
- Flat tax (16): Arizona 2.5%, Colorado 4.4%, Georgia 4.99%, Idaho 5.3%, Illinois 4.95%, Indiana 2.95%, Iowa 3.8%, Kentucky 3.5%, Louisiana 3%, Massachusetts 5% (9% on very high incomes), Michigan 4.25%, Mississippi 4%, North Carolina 3.99%, Ohio 2.75%, Pennsylvania 3.07%, Utah 4.45%.
- Progressive brackets (4): California 1%–13.3%, New Jersey 1.4%–10.75%, New York 3.9%–10.9%, Virginia 2%–5.75%. Like the federal system, each rate applies only to the slice of income inside its bracket.
2026 state income tax rates at a glance
| State | Rates | Standard deduction (single) | Payroll programs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | None | — | Unemployment insurance (employee share) 0.5% |
| Arizona | Flat 2.5% | $16,100 | — |
| California | 1%–13.3% | $5,900 | SDI (incl. Paid Family Leave) 1.3% |
| Colorado | Flat 4.4% | $16,100 | FAMLI paid leave (employee share) 0.44% |
| Florida | None | — | — |
| Georgia | Flat 4.99% | $15,000 | — |
| Idaho | Flat 5.3% | $16,100 | — |
| Illinois | Flat 4.95% | None | — |
| Indiana | Flat 2.95% | None | — |
| Iowa | Flat 3.8% | $16,100 | — |
| Kentucky | Flat 3.5% | $3,360 | — |
| Louisiana | Flat 3% | $12,875 | — |
| Massachusetts | 5% (9% on very high incomes) | None | PFML paid leave (employee share, max) 0.46% |
| Michigan | Flat 4.25% | None | — |
| Mississippi | Flat 4% | $2,300 | — |
| Nevada | None | — | — |
| New Hampshire | None | — | — |
| New Jersey | 1.4%–10.75% | None | Unemployment insurance (worker) 0.383%; Workforce development (worker) 0.042%; Temporary Disability Insurance (worker) 0.19%; Family Leave Insurance (worker) 0.23% |
| New York | 3.9%–10.9% | $8,000 | SDI (employee, max $31.20/yr) 0.5%; Paid Family Leave (max $411.91/yr) 0.432% |
| North Carolina | Flat 3.99% | $12,750 | — |
| Ohio | Flat 2.75% | None | — |
| Pennsylvania | Flat 3.07% | None | Unemployment compensation (employee) 0.07% |
| South Dakota | None | — | — |
| Tennessee | None | — | — |
| Texas | None | — | — |
| Utah | Flat 4.45% | None | — |
| Virginia | 2%–5.75% | $8,750 | — |
| Washington | None | — | Paid Family & Medical Leave (employee share) 0.807%; WA Cares Fund (long-term care) 0.58% |
| Wyoming | None | — | — |
Sources: each state's revenue department, listed on its paycheck page. Figures last verified 2026-10-13. Some states also give a personal exemption; see the state's page for details.
What this comparison includes & its limits
- Wages only, for a W-2 employee taking the standard deduction, with no 401(k) or other pre-tax deductions.
- State payroll programs that come out of employee pay (such as disability and paid-family-leave insurance) are included.
- City and county income taxes (for example in New York City, Ohio cities or Pennsylvania municipalities) are not included.
- Sales, property and other taxes that don't come out of a paycheck are not included.
- Tax credits beyond the basic personal exemption are not modelled.
Frequently asked questions
An estimate for general guidance, not tax advice. Your pay stub and state return are the final word.