1North Carolina
Lowest21.2%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,484
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $15,891
- Net income (annual)
- $59,109
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
North Carolina vs Virginia Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $1,015 less state income tax a year in North Carolina than in Virginia, which is about $85 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $2,335 in favor of North Carolina.
North Carolina: 3.99% flatVirginia: up to 5.75%Updated October 10, 2026
Compare North Carolina and 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.
2Virginia
22.5%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $3,498
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $16,906
- Net income (annual)
- $58,094
Advanced analysis (optional)
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💰 Monthly breakdown
Your take-home pay, spread across the year
North Carolina
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,324
Monthly take-home$4,926
Virginia
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,409
Monthly take-home$4,841
Estimates use 2026 federal and state rates, the standard deduction for your filing status and no local taxes. Rankings use state income tax only.
North Carolina vs Virginia: how the two systems differ
| North Carolina | Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Flat 3.99% | Progressive, 4 brackets |
| Top rate | 3.99% | 5.75% |
| Lowest rate | 3.99% | 2% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $12,750 standard deduction | $8,750 standard deduction, $930 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.
| Income | NC state tax | VA state tax | Difference | NC take-home | VA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $688 | $911 | $223 less in North Carolina | $25,597 | $25,374 |
| $40,000 | $1,087 | $1,486 | $399 less in North Carolina | $33,233 | $32,834 |
| $50,000 | $1,486 | $2,061 | $575 less in North Carolina | $40,869 | $40,294 |
| $60,000 | $1,885 | $2,636 | $751 less in North Carolina | $48,505 | $47,754 |
| $75,000 | $2,484 | $3,498 | $1,015 less in North Carolina | $59,109 | $58,094 |
| $100,000 | $3,481 | $4,936 | $1,455 less in North Carolina | $75,699 | $74,244 |
| $150,000 | $5,476 | $7,811 | $2,335 less in North Carolina | $108,315 | $105,980 |
| $250,000 | $9,466 | $13,561 | $4,095 less in North Carolina | $173,716 | $169,621 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
Married filing jointly
| Income | NC state tax | VA state tax | Difference | NC take-home | VA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $1,975 | $2,942 | $967 less in North Carolina | $62,647 | $61,681 |
| $100,000 | $2,973 | $4,379 | $1,407 less in North Carolina | $81,737 | $80,331 |
| $150,000 | $4,968 | $7,254 | $2,287 less in North Carolina | $118,217 | $115,931 |
| $250,000 | $8,958 | $13,004 | $4,047 less in North Carolina | $188,510 | $184,464 |
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?
Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, North Carolina charges the same or less state income tax than Virginia for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.
Rates side by side
North Carolina (single filers)
| 3.99% | Over $0 |
Virginia (single filers)
| 2% | Up to $3,000 |
| 3% | $3,001 to $5,000 |
| 5% | $5,001 to $17,000 |
| 5.75% | Over $17,000 |
Full details for each state: North Carolina income tax calculator and Virginia income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
North Carolina vs Virginia FAQ
Which has lower income tax, North Carolina or Virginia?+
North Carolina is lower at $75,000: $2,484 of state income tax versus $3,498 in Virginia. At $150,000 it is $5,476 in North Carolina and $7,811 in Virginia. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, North Carolina charges the same or less state income tax than Virginia for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in North Carolina versus Virginia?+
A single filer keeping $75,699 a year in North Carolina would keep $74,244 in Virginia after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $1,455 a year, or $121 a month.
How do the North Carolina and Virginia income tax systems differ?+
North Carolina uses a flat 3.99% rate; Virginia uses progressive rates up to 5.75%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this North Carolina vs 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 North Carolina to 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
- 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.