Skip to content
Tax Calculator US

Tax year 2026 · state vs state

California vs North Dakota Income Tax Comparison (2026)

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $2,585 less state income tax a year in North Dakota than in California, which is about $215 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $8,055 in favor of North Dakota.

California: up to 13.3%North Dakota: up to 2.5%Updated October 10, 2026

Compare California and North Dakota 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.

1North Dakota

Lowest

18.1%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$203
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$13,611
Net income (annual)
$61,389

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

Advanced analysis (optional)

Choose which extra insights you would like to see.

💰 Monthly breakdown

Your take-home pay, spread across the year

North Dakota

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,134
Monthly take-home$5,116

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.

California vs North Dakota: how the two systems differ

CaliforniaNorth Dakota
Wage income taxProgressive, 10 bracketsProgressive, 2 brackets
Top rate13.3%2.5%
Lowest rate1%1.95%
Deductions and credits (single)$5,540 standard deduction, $153 personal credit$16,100 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.

IncomeCA state taxND state taxDifferenceCA take-homeND take-home
$30,000$225$0$225 less in North Dakota$26,060$26,285
$40,000$589$0$589 less in North Dakota$33,731$34,320
$50,000$1,049$0$1,049 less in North Dakota$41,306$42,355
$60,000$1,649$0$1,649 less in North Dakota$48,741$50,390
$75,000$2,788$203$2,585 less in North Dakota$58,805$61,389
$100,000$5,070$691$4,380 less in North Dakota$74,110$78,489
$150,000$9,720$1,666$8,055 less in North Dakota$104,071$112,125
$250,000$19,020$3,616$15,405 less in North Dakota$164,162$179,566

Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.

Married filing jointly

IncomeCA state taxND state taxDifferenceCA take-homeND take-home
$75,000$979$0$979 less in North Dakota$63,644$64,623
$100,000$2,099$0$2,099 less in North Dakota$82,611$84,710
$150,000$5,576$718$4,858 less in North Dakota$117,609$122,467
$250,000$14,791$2,668$12,123 less in North Dakota$182,677$194,800

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 and North Dakota charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $20,000 of income. Above that, North Dakota is the lower-tax state.

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

North Dakota (single filers)

1.95%$48,476 to $244,825
2.5%Over $244,825

Full details for each state: California income tax calculator and North Dakota income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.

California vs North Dakota FAQ

Which has lower income tax, California or North Dakota?+

North Dakota is lower at $75,000: $203 of state income tax versus $2,788 in California. At $150,000 it is $9,720 in California and $1,666 in North Dakota. For a single filer, California and North Dakota charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $20,000 of income. Above that, North Dakota is the lower-tax state.

How much more do I keep on $100,000 in California versus North Dakota?+

A single filer keeping $74,110 a year in California would keep $78,489 in North Dakota after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $4,380 a year, or $365 a month.

How do the California and North Dakota income tax systems differ?+

California uses progressive rates up to 13.3%; North Dakota uses progressive rates up to 2.5%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.

Are local taxes included in this California vs North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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

Last checked October 10, 2026. Confirm with your state tax agency before filing.

More state comparisons

Estimates for education only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Not a substitute for a tax professional or your state revenue department.