1Alaska
Lowest17.9%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $0
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $13,408
- Net income (annual)
- $61,593
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Alaska vs California Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $2,788 less state income tax a year in Alaska than in California, which is about $232 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $9,720 in favor of Alaska.
Alaska: no state taxCalifornia: up to 13.3%Updated October 10, 2026
Compare Alaska and California for your income
Estimate for education only, not tax advice. 2026 federal and state rules, standard deductions, no local taxes. How we calculate.
State comparison
Comparing 2 states, sorted by lowest overall tax rate.
2California
21.6%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,788
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $16,195
- Net income (annual)
- $58,805
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💰 Monthly breakdown
Your take-home pay, spread across the year
Alaska
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,117
Monthly take-home$5,133
California
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,350
Monthly take-home$4,900
Estimates use 2026 federal and state rates, the standard deduction for your filing status and no local taxes. Rankings use state income tax only.
Alaska vs California: how the two systems differ
| Alaska | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | No tax on wages | Progressive, 10 brackets |
| Top rate | 0% | 13.3% |
| Lowest rate | 0% | 1% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | Not applicable | $5,540 standard deduction, $153 personal credit |
State income tax and take-home pay at every salary
The same salary can leave you with different take-home pay depending on the state. This table applies each state’s 2026 rules to a single filer with no pre-tax contributions.
| Income | AK state tax | CA state tax | Difference | AK take-home | CA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $0 | $225 | $225 less in Alaska | $26,285 | $26,060 |
| $40,000 | $0 | $589 | $589 less in Alaska | $34,320 | $33,731 |
| $50,000 | $0 | $1,049 | $1,049 less in Alaska | $42,355 | $41,306 |
| $60,000 | $0 | $1,649 | $1,649 less in Alaska | $50,390 | $48,741 |
| $75,000 | $0 | $2,788 | $2,788 less in Alaska | $61,593 | $58,805 |
| $100,000 | $0 | $5,070 | $5,070 less in Alaska | $79,180 | $74,110 |
| $150,000 | $0 | $9,720 | $9,720 less in Alaska | $113,791 | $104,071 |
| $250,000 | $0 | $19,020 | $19,020 less in Alaska | $183,182 | $164,162 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
Married filing jointly
| Income | AK state tax | CA state tax | Difference | AK take-home | CA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $0 | $979 | $979 less in Alaska | $64,623 | $63,644 |
| $100,000 | $0 | $2,099 | $2,099 less in Alaska | $84,710 | $82,611 |
| $150,000 | $0 | $5,576 | $5,576 less in Alaska | $123,185 | $117,609 |
| $250,000 | $0 | $14,791 | $14,791 less in Alaska | $197,468 | $182,677 |
Married filing jointly, 2026, federal standard deduction. Uses each state's joint brackets where they differ.
Does the lower-tax state change as income rises?
For a single filer, Alaska and California charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $20,000 of income. Above that, Alaska is the lower-tax state.
Rates side by side
Alaska (single filers)
Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax at the state level. Residents may also receive an annual Permanent Fund Dividend, which is taxable on the federal return.
California (single filers)
| 1% | Up to $11,079 |
| 2% | $11,080 to $26,264 |
| 4% | $26,265 to $41,452 |
| 6% | $41,453 to $57,542 |
| 8% | $57,543 to $72,724 |
| 9.3% | $72,725 to $371,479 |
| 10.3% | $371,480 to $445,771 |
| 11.3% | $445,772 to $742,953 |
| 12.3% | $742,954 to $1,000,000 |
| 13.3% | Over $1,000,000 |
- California: California also charges 1.3% State Disability Insurance (SDI) on all wages, and an extra 1% mental health tax above $1 million. Neither is included here.
Full details for each state: Alaska income tax calculator and California income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Alaska vs California FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Alaska or California?+
Alaska is lower at $75,000: $0 of state income tax versus $2,788 in California. At $150,000 it is $0 in Alaska and $9,720 in California. For a single filer, Alaska and California charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $20,000 of income. Above that, Alaska is the lower-tax state.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Alaska versus California?+
A single filer keeping $79,180 a year in Alaska would keep $74,110 in California after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $5,070 a year, or $423 a month.
How do the Alaska and California income tax systems differ?+
Alaska has no tax on wages; California uses progressive rates up to 13.3%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this Alaska vs California comparison?+
No. It covers federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and state income tax only. City, county, sales and property taxes are not included, and they can change the real cost of living in each state.
Should I move from Alaska to California to save on taxes?+
State income tax is one cost among many. Property and sales taxes, housing, insurance and wages also differ, and you may owe tax to both states in the year you move. Use this comparison as one input and confirm details with a tax professional.
Sources
- Tax Foundation: 2026 state individual income tax rates and brackets
- IRS: Tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2026
Last checked October 10, 2026. Confirm with your state tax agency before filing.
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Estimates for education only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Not a substitute for a tax professional or your state revenue department.