State comparison · 2026

California vs Texas: where do you keep more?

On a $100,000 salary you'd take home $73,338 in California versus $79,180 in Texas — a difference of $5,842 a year on state income tax alone, favouring Texas. Property tax, sales tax and housing can shift the real total.

Verified 12 August 2026

Moving to Texas would leave you +$5,842 better off a year on $100k — about $487 a month, on state income tax alone

Take-home by salarySingle filer

Salary California → Texas

$60,000$48,130 vs $50,390 +$2,260

$80,000$61,128 vs $65,110 +$3,982

$100,000$73,338 vs $79,180 +$5,842

$150,000$103,299 vs $113,791 +$10,492

$200,000$133,785 vs $148,927 +$15,142

State income tax only. Property taxes, sales tax, insurance and housing costs vary enormously and often offset the difference — Texas in particular has high property taxes.

Common questions

Is it cheaper to live in Texas than California for taxes?

On state income tax alone, yes. A $100,000 earner keeps about $5,842 more a year in Texas than in California. That's before property tax, sales tax and housing costs, which can offset it.

How much is state income tax in Texas?

Texas has no state income tax on wages, so you'd pay $0.

How much is state income tax in California?

On a $100,000 salary you'd pay roughly $5,842 in California state income tax.

Your own numbersEnter your salary and see all 50 states ranked. The no-tax statesWhat moving really saves — and what claws it back.