Which States Take the Biggest Bite From Your Paycheck in 2026?
We ran the same $75,000 salary through all 50 states' 2026 income tax brackets. The results will surprise you.
Everyone “knows” California has the worst income tax in America. We decided to test that. Using the same 2026 bracket data behind our paycheck calculators, we computed the state income tax on a $75,000 salary (single filer) for every state — and ranked them.
The headline: California isn't even in the top 15. Oregon takes the biggest bite at $5,989 — nearly $6,000 more than you'd pay in Texas.
Key findings
- Oregon is #1 — $5,989 in state income tax on $75,000, leaving $55,604 take-home pay.
- California ranks 17th at this income level. Its famous 13.3% top rate only applies to income over $1 million.
- 9 states take $0: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming.
- The gap is $5,989 a year — the same $75,000 salary leaves you $61,592 in Wyoming but only $55,604 in Oregon.
Full 50-state ranking (2026)
State income tax on $75,000 salary, single filer, standard deduction. Take-home pay includes federal tax and FICA. Click any state for its full paycheck calculator.
| # | State | State income tax | Take-home pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | $5,989 | $55,604 |
| 2 | Hawaii | $4,257 | $57,336 |
| 3 | Kansas | $3,896 | $57,696 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $3,750 | $57,842 |
| 5 | Maine | $3,742 | $57,850 |
| 6 | Delaware | $3,719 | $57,874 |
| 7 | Illinois | $3,712 | $57,880 |
| 8 | Minnesota | $3,577 | $58,016 |
| 9 | Alabama | $3,560 | $58,032 |
| 10 | Virginia | $3,552 | $58,041 |
| 11 | New York | $3,453 | $58,140 |
| 12 | Connecticut | $3,375 | $58,218 |
| 13 | Maryland | $3,351 | $58,242 |
| 14 | Utah | $3,338 | $58,255 |
| 15 | Michigan | $3,188 | $58,405 |
| 16 | Georgia | $2,994 | $58,598 |
| 17 | California | $2,928 | $58,665 |
| 18 | Montana | $2,877 | $58,716 |
| 19 | Oklahoma | $2,874 | $58,718 |
| 20 | Idaho | $2,867 | $58,726 |
| 21 | Vermont | $2,840 | $58,753 |
| 22 | Arkansas | $2,741 | $58,851 |
| 23 | Nebraska | $2,709 | $58,884 |
| 24 | New Jersey | $2,651 | $58,941 |
| 25 | West Virginia | $2,638 | $58,955 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $2,632 | $58,961 |
| 27 | Colorado | $2,592 | $59,001 |
| 28 | Missouri | $2,588 | $59,005 |
| 29 | Mississippi | $2,508 | $59,084 |
| 30 | Kentucky | $2,507 | $59,085 |
| 31 | North Carolina | $2,484 | $59,109 |
| 32 | Rhode Island | $2,392 | $59,200 |
| 33 | New Mexico | $2,359 | $59,233 |
| 34 | Pennsylvania | $2,302 | $59,290 |
| 35 | Iowa | $2,238 | $59,354 |
| 36 | Indiana | $2,212 | $59,380 |
| 37 | South Carolina | $2,160 | $59,432 |
| 38 | Louisiana | $1,864 | $59,729 |
| 39 | Arizona | $1,472 | $60,120 |
| 40 | Ohio | $1,346 | $60,246 |
| 41 | North Dakota | $182 | $61,411 |
| 42 | Alaska | $0 | $61,592 |
| 43 | Florida | $0 | $61,592 |
| 44 | Nevada | $0 | $61,592 |
| 45 | New Hampshire | $0 | $61,592 |
| 46 | South Dakota | $0 | $61,592 |
| 47 | Tennessee | $0 | $61,592 |
| 48 | Texas | $0 | $61,592 |
| 49 | Washington | $0 | $61,592 |
| 50 | Wyoming | $0 | $61,592 |
How this ranking was calculated
We applied each state's 2026 published income tax brackets to $75,000 of wage income for a single filer claiming the standard deduction — the same math our state calculators use. Federal income tax ($7,670) and FICA ($5,737.50) are identical in every state, so the ranking reflects state tax only. A few states had not published final 2026 schedules when we compiled the data; those use the latest published figures, as noted on each state's page. Personal exemptions, credits, and local taxes are excluded. These are estimates, not tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
Which state has the highest income tax in 2026?
At a $75,000 single-filer salary, Oregon — about $5,989 in state income tax. Rankings shift with income: California's 13.3% top rate makes it harsher for very high earners, but at $75,000 it ranks 17th.
Is California the highest-taxed state?
Not at ordinary incomes. California ranks 17th on a $75,000 salary because its steepest brackets (9.3%–13.3%) only kick in at high incomes — 13.3% applies above $1 million. States with high flat rates or low bracket thresholds, like Oregon and Illinois, take more at $75,000.
Which states have no income tax in 2026?
Nine states tax no wage income: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming. On $75,000, a single filer keeps $61,592 in each of them.
Does moving to a no-tax state really save that much?
On $75,000, the Oregon-to-Texas gap is $5,989 a year in state tax alone — and the gap grows with income. But taxes are only part of the picture: housing, property tax, and cost of living matter too.
Where does my state rank?
Find it in the table above, or run your exact salary through your state's paycheck calculator for a personalized breakdown.
Methodology & sources
Federal figures: IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 (tax year 2026). FICA: Social Security Administration 2026 wage base. State figures: each state's department of revenue 2026 schedules; where 2026 schedules were not yet published, latest published figures are used (noted per state). Computed October 2026. Journalists: you may cite these figures with a link to this page.