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Tax year 2026 · state vs state

District of Columbia vs West Virginia Income Tax Comparison (2026)

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $748 less state income tax a year in West Virginia than in District of Columbia, which is about $62 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $3,486 in favor of West Virginia.

District of Columbia: up to 10.75%West Virginia: up to 4.82%Updated October 10, 2026

Compare District of Columbia and West Virginia 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.

1West Virginia

Lowest

21.5%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$2,680
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$16,088
Net income (annual)
$58,912

2District of Columbia

22.4%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$3,429
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$16,836
Net income (annual)
$58,164

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💰 Monthly breakdown

Your take-home pay, spread across the year

West Virginia

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,341
Monthly take-home$4,909

District of Columbia

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,403
Monthly take-home$4,847

Estimates use 2026 federal and state rates, the standard deduction for your filing status and no local taxes. Rankings use state income tax only.

District of Columbia vs West Virginia: how the two systems differ

District of ColumbiaWest Virginia
Wage income taxProgressive, 7 bracketsProgressive, 5 brackets
Top rate10.75%4.82%
Lowest rate4%2.22%
Deductions and credits (single)$16,100 standard deduction$2,000 personal exemption

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.

IncomeDC state taxWV state taxDifferenceDC take-homeWV take-home
$30,000$634$766$132 less in District of Columbia$25,651$25,519
$40,000$1,234$1,099$135 less in West Virginia$33,086$33,221
$50,000$1,834$1,521$313 less in West Virginia$40,521$40,834
$60,000$2,454$1,965$489 less in West Virginia$47,937$48,425
$75,000$3,429$2,680$748 less in West Virginia$58,164$58,912
$100,000$5,532$3,885$1,646 less in West Virginia$73,649$75,295
$150,000$9,782$6,295$3,486 less in West Virginia$104,010$107,496
$250,000$18,282$11,115$7,166 less in West Virginia$164,901$172,067

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

Married filing jointly

IncomeDC state taxWV state taxDifferenceDC take-homeWV take-home
$75,000$2,382$2,584$202 less in District of Columbia$62,241$62,039
$100,000$4,163$3,789$374 less in West Virginia$80,547$80,921
$150,000$8,413$6,199$2,214 less in West Virginia$114,772$116,986
$250,000$16,913$11,019$5,894 less in West Virginia$180,555$186,449

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, District of Columbia is the lower-tax state up to roughly $35,000 of income, and West Virginia becomes the lower-tax state above that.

Rates side by side

District of Columbia (single filers)

4%Up to $10,000
6%$10,001 to $40,000
6.5%$40,001 to $60,000
8.5%$60,001 to $250,000
9.25%$250,001 to $500,000
9.75%$500,001 to $1,000,000
10.75%Over $1,000,000

West Virginia (single filers)

2.22%Up to $10,000
2.96%$10,001 to $25,000
3.33%$25,001 to $40,000
4.44%$40,001 to $60,000
4.82%Over $60,000

Full details for each state: District of Columbia income tax calculator and West Virginia income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.

District of Columbia vs West Virginia FAQ

Which has lower income tax, District of Columbia or West Virginia?+

West Virginia is lower at $75,000: $2,680 of state income tax versus $3,429 in District of Columbia. At $150,000 it is $9,782 in District of Columbia and $6,295 in West Virginia. For a single filer, District of Columbia is the lower-tax state up to roughly $35,000 of income, and West Virginia becomes the lower-tax state above that.

How much more do I keep on $100,000 in District of Columbia versus West Virginia?+

A single filer keeping $73,649 a year in District of Columbia would keep $75,295 in West Virginia after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $1,646 a year, or $137 a month.

How do the District of Columbia and West Virginia income tax systems differ?+

District of Columbia uses progressive rates up to 10.75%; West Virginia uses progressive rates up to 4.82%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.

Are local taxes included in this District of Columbia vs West Virginia 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 District of Columbia to West Virginia 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.