1California
Lowest21.6%
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
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
California vs New York Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $665 less state income tax a year in California than in New York, which is about $55 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $1,911 in favor of New York.
California: up to 13.3%New York: up to 10.9%Updated October 10, 2026
Compare California and New York 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.
2New York
22.5%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $3,453
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $16,861
- Net income (annual)
- $58,140
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💰 Monthly breakdown
Your take-home pay, spread across the year
California
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,350
Monthly take-home$4,900
New York
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,405
Monthly take-home$4,845
Estimates use 2026 federal and state rates, the standard deduction for your filing status and no local taxes. Rankings use state income tax only.
California vs New York: how the two systems differ
| California | New York | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Progressive, 10 brackets | Progressive, 9 brackets |
| Top rate | 13.3% | 10.9% |
| Lowest rate | 1% | 3.9% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $5,540 standard deduction, $153 personal credit | $8,000 standard deduction |
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 | CA state tax | NY state tax | Difference | CA take-home | NY take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $225 | $1,023 | $798 less in California | $26,060 | $25,262 |
| $40,000 | $589 | $1,563 | $974 less in California | $33,731 | $32,757 |
| $50,000 | $1,049 | $2,103 | $1,054 less in California | $41,306 | $40,252 |
| $60,000 | $1,649 | $2,643 | $994 less in California | $48,741 | $47,747 |
| $75,000 | $2,788 | $3,453 | $665 less in California | $58,805 | $58,140 |
| $100,000 | $5,070 | $4,860 | $211 less in New York | $74,110 | $74,320 |
| $150,000 | $9,720 | $7,810 | $1,911 less in New York | $104,071 | $105,981 |
| $250,000 | $19,020 | $13,962 | $5,058 less in New York | $164,162 | $169,220 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
Married filing jointly
| Income | CA state tax | NY state tax | Difference | CA take-home | NY take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $979 | $2,851 | $1,872 less in California | $63,644 | $61,772 |
| $100,000 | $2,099 | $4,201 | $2,102 less in California | $82,611 | $80,509 |
| $150,000 | $5,576 | $6,901 | $1,325 less in California | $117,609 | $116,284 |
| $250,000 | $14,791 | $12,663 | $2,128 less in New York | $182,677 | $184,805 |
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, California is the lower-tax state up to roughly $95,000 of income, and New York becomes the lower-tax state above that.
Rates side by side
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 |
New York (single filers)
| 3.9% | Up to $8,500 |
| 4.4% | $8,501 to $11,700 |
| 5.15% | $11,701 to $13,900 |
| 5.4% | $13,901 to $80,650 |
| 5.9% | $80,651 to $215,400 |
| 6.85% | $215,401 to $1,077,550 |
| 9.65% | $1,077,551 to $5,000,000 |
| 10.3% | $5,000,001 to $25,000,000 |
| 10.9% | Over $25,000,000 |
- 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.
- New York: New York City and Yonkers residents also pay a local income tax (New York City is roughly 3.1% to 3.9%), which is not included here.
Full details for each state: California income tax calculator and New York income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
California vs New York FAQ
Which has lower income tax, California or New York?+
California is lower at $75,000: $2,788 of state income tax versus $3,453 in New York. At $150,000 it is $9,720 in California and $7,810 in New York. For a single filer, California is the lower-tax state up to roughly $95,000 of income, and New York becomes the lower-tax state above that.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in California versus New York?+
A single filer keeping $74,110 a year in California would keep $74,320 in New York after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $211 a year, or $18 a month.
How do the California and New York income tax systems differ?+
California uses progressive rates up to 13.3%; New York uses progressive rates up to 10.9%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this California vs New York 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 California to New York 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.