1Pennsylvania
Lowest20.9%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,303
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $15,710
- Net income (annual)
- $59,290
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Pennsylvania vs Virginia Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $1,196 less state income tax a year in Pennsylvania than in Virginia, which is about $100 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $3,206 in favor of Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania: 3.07% flatVirginia: up to 5.75%Updated October 10, 2026
Compare Pennsylvania 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
Pennsylvania
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,309
Monthly take-home$4,941
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.
Pennsylvania vs Virginia: how the two systems differ
| Pennsylvania | Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Flat 3.07% | Progressive, 4 brackets |
| Top rate | 3.07% | 5.75% |
| Lowest rate | 3.07% | 2% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | None in this model | $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 | PA state tax | VA state tax | Difference | PA take-home | VA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $921 | $911 | $10 less in Virginia | $25,364 | $25,374 |
| $40,000 | $1,228 | $1,486 | $258 less in Pennsylvania | $33,092 | $32,834 |
| $50,000 | $1,535 | $2,061 | $526 less in Pennsylvania | $40,820 | $40,294 |
| $60,000 | $1,842 | $2,636 | $794 less in Pennsylvania | $48,548 | $47,754 |
| $75,000 | $2,303 | $3,498 | $1,196 less in Pennsylvania | $59,290 | $58,094 |
| $100,000 | $3,070 | $4,936 | $1,866 less in Pennsylvania | $76,110 | $74,244 |
| $150,000 | $4,605 | $7,811 | $3,206 less in Pennsylvania | $109,186 | $105,980 |
| $250,000 | $7,675 | $13,561 | $5,886 less in Pennsylvania | $175,507 | $169,621 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
Married filing jointly
| Income | PA state tax | VA state tax | Difference | PA take-home | VA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $2,303 | $2,942 | $639 less in Pennsylvania | $62,320 | $61,681 |
| $100,000 | $3,070 | $4,379 | $1,309 less in Pennsylvania | $81,640 | $80,331 |
| $150,000 | $4,605 | $7,254 | $2,649 less in Pennsylvania | $118,580 | $115,931 |
| $250,000 | $7,675 | $13,004 | $5,329 less in Pennsylvania | $189,793 | $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?
For a single filer, Virginia is the lower-tax state up to roughly $32,500 of income, and Pennsylvania becomes the lower-tax state above that.
Rates side by side
Pennsylvania (single filers)
| 3.07% | 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 |
- Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania localities also levy an earned income tax, usually around 1%, which is not included here.
Full details for each state: Pennsylvania income tax calculator and Virginia income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Pennsylvania vs Virginia FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Pennsylvania or Virginia?+
Pennsylvania is lower at $75,000: $2,303 of state income tax versus $3,498 in Virginia. At $150,000 it is $4,605 in Pennsylvania and $7,811 in Virginia. For a single filer, Virginia is the lower-tax state up to roughly $32,500 of income, and Pennsylvania becomes the lower-tax state above that.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Pennsylvania versus Virginia?+
A single filer keeping $76,110 a year in Pennsylvania would keep $74,244 in Virginia after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $1,866 a year, or $155 a month.
How do the Pennsylvania and Virginia income tax systems differ?+
Pennsylvania uses a flat 3.07% 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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.