Best States for Take-Home Pay
All 51 US jurisdictions ranked by what a single filer actually keeps from a $100,000 salary in tax year 2026, after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, state income tax and state payroll levies. Top to bottom, the spread is $7,899 a year.
| # | State | Take-home on $100,000 | Total tax | Effective rate | System | Top rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | $79,180 | $20,820 | 20.8% | No income tax | — |
| 2 | Nevada | $79,180 | $20,820 | 20.8% | No income tax | — |
| 3 | New Hampshire | $79,180 | $20,820 | 20.8% | No income tax | — |
| 4 | South Dakota | $79,180 | $20,820 | 20.8% | No income tax | — |
| 5 | Tennessee | $79,180 | $20,820 | 20.8% | No income tax | — |
| 6 | Texas | $79,180 | $20,820 | 20.8% | No income tax | — |
| 7 | Wyoming | $79,180 | $20,820 | 20.8% | No income tax | — |
| 8 | Alaska | $78,909 | $21,091 | 21.1% | No income tax | — |
| 9 | North Dakota | $78,489 | $21,511 | 21.5% | Progressive | 2.50% |
| 10 | Washington | $77,793 | $22,207 | 22.2% | No income tax | — |
| 11 | Ohio | $77,212 | $22,788 | 22.8% | Progressive | 2.75% |
| 12 | Arizona | $77,083 | $22,918 | 22.9% | Flat | 2.50% |
| 13 | Louisiana | $76,566 | $23,434 | 23.4% | Flat | 3.00% |
| 14 | Indiana | $76,260 | $23,741 | 23.7% | Flat | 2.95% |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | $76,040 | $23,960 | 24.0% | Flat | 3.07% |
| 16 | Iowa | $75,992 | $24,008 | 24.0% | Flat | 3.80% |
| 17 | Mississippi | $75,912 | $24,088 | 24.1% | Flat | 4.00% |
| 18 | Kentucky | $75,798 | $24,202 | 24.2% | Flat | 3.50% |
| 19 | North Carolina | $75,699 | $24,301 | 24.3% | Flat | 3.99% |
| 20 | Missouri | $75,652 | $24,348 | 24.3% | Progressive | 4.70% |
| 21 | New Mexico | $75,611 | $24,389 | 24.4% | Progressive | 5.90% |
| 22 | Nebraska | $75,510 | $24,490 | 24.5% | Progressive | 4.55% |
| 23 | Arkansas | $75,493 | $24,507 | 24.5% | Progressive | 3.90% |
| 24 | West Virginia | $75,295 | $24,705 | 24.7% | Progressive | 4.82% |
| 25 | Oklahoma | $75,226 | $24,775 | 24.8% | Progressive | 4.50% |
| 26 | Michigan | $75,181 | $24,819 | 24.8% | Flat | 4.25% |
| 27 | Alabama | $75,104 | $24,897 | 24.9% | Progressive | 5.00% |
| 28 | Colorado | $75,048 | $24,952 | 25.0% | Flat | 4.40% |
| 29 | Rhode Island | $74,932 | $25,068 | 25.1% | Progressive | 5.99% |
| 30 | Vermont | $74,930 | $25,070 | 25.1% | Progressive | 8.75% |
| 31 | Montana | $74,891 | $25,109 | 25.1% | Progressive | 5.65% |
| 32 | South Carolina | $74,802 | $25,198 | 25.2% | Progressive | 6.00% |
| 33 | Maryland | $74,794 | $25,206 | 25.2% | Progressive | 6.50% |
| 34 | Georgia | $74,789 | $25,211 | 25.2% | Flat | 4.99% |
| 35 | Idaho | $74,733 | $25,267 | 25.3% | Flat | 5.30% |
| 36 | Wisconsin | $74,714 | $25,286 | 25.3% | Progressive | 7.65% |
| 37 | Utah | $74,680 | $25,320 | 25.3% | Flat | 4.50% |
| 38 | New Jersey | $74,409 | $25,591 | 25.6% | Progressive | 10.75% |
| 39 | Kansas | $74,400 | $25,600 | 25.6% | Progressive | 5.58% |
| 40 | Illinois | $74,375 | $25,625 | 25.6% | Flat | 4.95% |
| 41 | Virginia | $74,244 | $25,756 | 25.8% | Progressive | 5.75% |
| 42 | Delaware | $74,083 | $25,917 | 25.9% | Progressive | 6.60% |
| 43 | Massachusetts | $73,940 | $26,060 | 26.1% | Flat | 9.00% |
| 44 | Connecticut | $73,930 | $26,070 | 26.1% | Progressive | 6.99% |
| 45 | New York | $73,908 | $26,092 | 26.1% | Progressive | 10.90% |
| 46 | Minnesota | $73,903 | $26,097 | 26.1% | Progressive | 9.85% |
| 47 | District of Columbia | $73,649 | $26,352 | 26.4% | Progressive | 10.75% |
| 48 | Maine | $73,580 | $26,420 | 26.4% | Progressive | 7.15% |
| 49 | California | $72,810 | $27,190 | 27.2% | Progressive | 13.30% |
| 50 | Hawaii | $72,720 | $27,280 | 27.3% | Progressive | 11.00% |
| 51 | Oregon | $71,282 | $28,719 | 28.7% | Progressive | 9.90% |
Frequently asked questions
Which state has the highest take-home pay in the US?
On a $100,000 single-filer salary in 2026, the nine no-income-tax states tie at the top with $79,180 a year, because only federal tax and FICA apply. Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming all sit in this group, though Washington deducts Paid Family & Medical Leave and WA Cares premiums that the others do not.
Which state takes the most out of a paycheque?
Oregon leaves the least on a $100,000 salary at $71,282, an effective rate of 28.7%. The full spread from top to bottom is $7,899 a year.
Does moving to a no-income-tax state actually leave you better off?
Only if housing does not absorb the difference. The maximum saving on a $100,000 salary is $7,899 a year, or about $658 a month — less than the rent gap between most high-tax and low-tax metros. No-tax states also tend to recoup revenue through higher property tax, sales tax or employee payroll levies.
Estimates for informational purposes only. Figures assume the standard deduction, W-2 wage income and full-year residency, and exclude credits, itemised deductions and employer benefits. Not tax advice.