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 West Virginia Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $378 less state income tax a year in Pennsylvania than in West Virginia, which is about $31 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $1,690 in favor of Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania: 3.07% flatWest Virginia: up to 4.82%Updated October 10, 2026
Compare Pennsylvania 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.
2West Virginia
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
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
West Virginia
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,341
Monthly take-home$4,909
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 West Virginia: how the two systems differ
| Pennsylvania | West Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Flat 3.07% | Progressive, 5 brackets |
| Top rate | 3.07% | 4.82% |
| Lowest rate | 3.07% | 2.22% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | None in this model | $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.
| Income | PA state tax | WV state tax | Difference | PA take-home | WV take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $921 | $766 | $155 less in West Virginia | $25,364 | $25,519 |
| $40,000 | $1,228 | $1,099 | $129 less in West Virginia | $33,092 | $33,221 |
| $50,000 | $1,535 | $1,521 | $14 less in West Virginia | $40,820 | $40,834 |
| $60,000 | $1,842 | $1,965 | $123 less in Pennsylvania | $48,548 | $48,425 |
| $75,000 | $2,303 | $2,680 | $378 less in Pennsylvania | $59,290 | $58,912 |
| $100,000 | $3,070 | $3,885 | $815 less in Pennsylvania | $76,110 | $75,295 |
| $150,000 | $4,605 | $6,295 | $1,690 less in Pennsylvania | $109,186 | $107,496 |
| $250,000 | $7,675 | $11,115 | $3,440 less in Pennsylvania | $175,507 | $172,067 |
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 | WV state tax | Difference | PA take-home | WV take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $2,303 | $2,584 | $281 less in Pennsylvania | $62,320 | $62,039 |
| $100,000 | $3,070 | $3,789 | $719 less in Pennsylvania | $81,640 | $80,921 |
| $150,000 | $4,605 | $6,199 | $1,594 less in Pennsylvania | $118,580 | $116,986 |
| $250,000 | $7,675 | $11,019 | $3,344 less in Pennsylvania | $189,793 | $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, West Virginia is the lower-tax state up to roughly $52,500 of income, and Pennsylvania becomes the lower-tax state above that.
Rates side by side
Pennsylvania (single filers)
| 3.07% | Over $0 |
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 |
- 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 West Virginia income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Pennsylvania vs West Virginia FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Pennsylvania or West Virginia?+
Pennsylvania is lower at $75,000: $2,303 of state income tax versus $2,680 in West Virginia. At $150,000 it is $4,605 in Pennsylvania and $6,295 in West Virginia. For a single filer, West Virginia is the lower-tax state up to roughly $52,500 of income, and Pennsylvania becomes the lower-tax state above that.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Pennsylvania versus West Virginia?+
A single filer keeping $76,110 a year in Pennsylvania would keep $75,295 in West Virginia after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $815 a year, or $68 a month.
How do the Pennsylvania and West Virginia income tax systems differ?+
Pennsylvania uses a flat 3.07% rate; West Virginia uses progressive rates up to 4.82%.
Are local taxes included in this Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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
- 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.