1Washington
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
California vs Washington Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $2,788 less state income tax a year in Washington than in California, which is about $232 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $9,720 in favor of Washington.
California: up to 13.3%Washington: no state taxUpdated October 10, 2026
Compare California and Washington 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
Washington
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.
California vs Washington: how the two systems differ
| California | Washington | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Progressive, 10 brackets | No tax on wages |
| Top rate | 13.3% | 0% |
| Lowest rate | 1% | 0% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $5,540 standard deduction, $153 personal credit | Not applicable |
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 | WA state tax | Difference | CA take-home | WA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $225 | $0 | $225 less in Washington | $26,060 | $26,285 |
| $40,000 | $589 | $0 | $589 less in Washington | $33,731 | $34,320 |
| $50,000 | $1,049 | $0 | $1,049 less in Washington | $41,306 | $42,355 |
| $60,000 | $1,649 | $0 | $1,649 less in Washington | $48,741 | $50,390 |
| $75,000 | $2,788 | $0 | $2,788 less in Washington | $58,805 | $61,593 |
| $100,000 | $5,070 | $0 | $5,070 less in Washington | $74,110 | $79,180 |
| $150,000 | $9,720 | $0 | $9,720 less in Washington | $104,071 | $113,791 |
| $250,000 | $19,020 | $0 | $19,020 less in Washington | $164,162 | $183,182 |
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 | WA state tax | Difference | CA take-home | WA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $979 | $0 | $979 less in Washington | $63,644 | $64,623 |
| $100,000 | $2,099 | $0 | $2,099 less in Washington | $82,611 | $84,710 |
| $150,000 | $5,576 | $0 | $5,576 less in Washington | $117,609 | $123,185 |
| $250,000 | $14,791 | $0 | $14,791 less in Washington | $182,677 | $197,468 |
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 Washington charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $20,000 of income. Above that, Washington 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 |
Washington (single filers)
Washington does not tax wages. It taxes long-term capital gains above a threshold (7% and 9% tiers) and charges payroll premiums for paid family leave, which are not included here.
- 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: California income tax calculator and Washington income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
California vs Washington FAQ
Which has lower income tax, California or Washington?+
Washington is lower at $75,000: $0 of state income tax versus $2,788 in California. At $150,000 it is $9,720 in California and $0 in Washington. For a single filer, California and Washington charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $20,000 of income. Above that, Washington is the lower-tax state.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in California versus Washington?+
A single filer keeping $74,110 a year in California would keep $79,180 in Washington after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $5,070 a year, or $423 a month.
How do the California and Washington income tax systems differ?+
California uses progressive rates up to 13.3%; Washington has no tax on wages. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this California vs Washington 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 Washington 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.