Why does my take-home change when I move states?

Federal income tax and FICA are the same everywhere, but state income tax is not. Nine states have no income tax, many use a single flat rate, and the rest are progressive. Moving from California (top rate 13.3%) to Texas (0%) can leave thousands more in your paycheck at the same gross salary.

How is state income tax applied in this tool?

No-income-tax states are applied at 0%. Flat-tax states use their statutory rate. Progressive (graduated) states are applied at their TOP marginal rate as an upper-bound approximation, because full bracket tables are not embedded. For exact figures use your state estimator.

Yes. FICA (Social Security 6.2% up to the 2026 wage base of $176,100, plus Medicare 1.45%) is subtracted for both states because it is federal and location-independent. The difference you see is driven by state income tax.

Should I enter my federal income tax?

Optional. Federal tax is the same in both states, so it does not change the comparison — but entering your estimated federal liability (from last year’s return or the IRS estimator) gives a realistic absolute take-home number in each state.

Interactive Estimator

Cross-State Take-Home Comparison (2026)

AI summaries tell you "Texas has no income tax" — but they can't show you the dollars left in your paycheck after a move, or how FICA and your own federal bracket interact. Enter your salary and two states to see the real net difference.

Compare two states

Gross annual salary ($)

Fed income tax est. ($/yr)

State A (current)

State B (prospect)

Cross-State Take-Home Comparison (2026)

allmoneycalc.com — estimate, not tax advice

Compares take-home pay across two states using verified 2026 state income tax rates plus FICA. State rates: Tax Foundation Facts & Figures 2026.

The money & relocation cluster

State Income Tax Rates 2026 (dataset) — the source behind this tool
Retirement Income Tax by State — how a move affects fixed retirement income
Sales Tax by State — daily-purchase impact of a move
Property Tax by State — if you own rather than rent

Take-Home Pay Estimator
Federal Income Tax Estimator 2026
Rent Affordability Calculator
ReloFig — side-by-side metro moving & affordability costs

Educational estimate, not tax advice. FICA uses the 2026 Social Security wage base of $176,100 (6.2% up to base + 1.45% Medicare). State income tax: none=0%, flat=statutory rate, graduated=TOP marginal rate as an upper-bound approximation (full brackets not embedded). Federal income tax is user-supplied and location-independent. Local income taxes (NYC, Yonkers, some MD/OH/IN/IA/MO localities) are excluded. Verify with the IRS and your state revenue department. Source: Tax Foundation Facts & Figures 2026.

Data Sources & Fact-Checking Methodology

✓ Audited for 2026 Tax Year

Standard formulas Amortization, compound interest, and retirement projection equations per finance practice.
Public reference rates Savings/investment assumptions stated as planning estimates; no live market rates.
Internal editorial Calculators reviewed by the AllMoneyCalc editorial team before publication.

🛡️ Editorial Audit & Fact-Checking Standards

All calculations are independently vetted by credentialed practitioners (IRS Enrolled Agent & CFA) against statutory primary sources: 26 U.S. Code § 1(j) (Tax Cuts and Jobs Act rates), IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32, 29 CFR Part 541 (FLSA labor rules), and CFPB Regulation Z. Models undergo continuous automated verification against synthetic test cases.

Last comprehensive audit: October 2026 · Scheduled re-audit: Monthly · Open Data JSON (CC BY 4.0)

📚 Academic & Media Citation (APA 7th Edition)


AllMoneyCalc Research Board. (2026). Federal Income Tax, Payroll & Personal Finance Calculation Engine (2026 ed.). AllMoneyCalc. https://allmoneycalc.com

Methodology and citations are maintained by the AllMoneyCalc editorial board. Educational tools only; verify specific personal filing situations with a qualified tax professional.

Cross-State Take-Home Comparison (2026)

Compare two states

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Cross-State Take-Home Comparison (2026)

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