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
Pennsylvania vs Washington Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $2,303 less state income tax a year in Washington than in Pennsylvania, which is about $192 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $4,605 in favor of Washington.
Pennsylvania: 3.07% flatWashington: no state taxUpdated October 10, 2026
Compare Pennsylvania 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.
2Pennsylvania
20.9%
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
Advanced analysis (optional)
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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
Pennsylvania
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,309
Monthly take-home$4,941
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 Washington: how the two systems differ
| Pennsylvania | Washington | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Flat 3.07% | No tax on wages |
| Top rate | 3.07% | 0% |
| Lowest rate | 3.07% | 0% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | None in this model | 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 | PA state tax | WA state tax | Difference | PA take-home | WA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $921 | $0 | $921 less in Washington | $25,364 | $26,285 |
| $40,000 | $1,228 | $0 | $1,228 less in Washington | $33,092 | $34,320 |
| $50,000 | $1,535 | $0 | $1,535 less in Washington | $40,820 | $42,355 |
| $60,000 | $1,842 | $0 | $1,842 less in Washington | $48,548 | $50,390 |
| $75,000 | $2,303 | $0 | $2,303 less in Washington | $59,290 | $61,593 |
| $100,000 | $3,070 | $0 | $3,070 less in Washington | $76,110 | $79,180 |
| $150,000 | $4,605 | $0 | $4,605 less in Washington | $109,186 | $113,791 |
| $250,000 | $7,675 | $0 | $7,675 less in Washington | $175,507 | $183,182 |
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 | WA state tax | Difference | PA take-home | WA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $2,303 | $0 | $2,303 less in Washington | $62,320 | $64,623 |
| $100,000 | $3,070 | $0 | $3,070 less in Washington | $81,640 | $84,710 |
| $150,000 | $4,605 | $0 | $4,605 less in Washington | $118,580 | $123,185 |
| $250,000 | $7,675 | $0 | $7,675 less in Washington | $189,793 | $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?
Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Washington charges the same or less state income tax than Pennsylvania for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.
Rates side by side
Pennsylvania (single filers)
| 3.07% | Over $0 |
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.
- 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 Washington income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Pennsylvania vs Washington FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Pennsylvania or Washington?+
Washington is lower at $75,000: $0 of state income tax versus $2,303 in Pennsylvania. At $150,000 it is $4,605 in Pennsylvania and $0 in Washington. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Washington charges the same or less state income tax than Pennsylvania for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Pennsylvania versus Washington?+
A single filer keeping $76,110 a year in Pennsylvania would keep $79,180 in Washington after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $3,070 a year, or $256 a month.
How do the Pennsylvania and Washington income tax systems differ?+
Pennsylvania uses a flat 3.07% rate; Washington has no tax on wages.
Are local taxes included in this Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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.