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
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $2,680 less state income tax a year in Washington than in West Virginia, which is about $223 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $6,295 in favor of Washington.
Washington: no state taxWest Virginia: up to 4.82%Updated October 10, 2026
Estimate for education only, not tax advice. 2026 federal and state rules, standard deductions, no local taxes. How we calculate.
Comparing 2 states, sorted by lowest overall tax rate.
17.9%
Overall effective tax rate
21.5%
Overall effective tax rate
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Your take-home pay, spread across the year
Washington
West Virginia
Estimates use 2026 federal and state rates, the standard deduction for your filing status and no local taxes. Rankings use state income tax only.
| Washington | West Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | No tax on wages | Progressive, 5 brackets |
| Top rate | 0% | 4.82% |
| Lowest rate | 0% | 2.22% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | Not applicable | $2,000 personal exemption |
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 | WA state tax | WV state tax | Difference | WA take-home | WV take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $0 | $766 | $766 less in Washington | $26,285 | $25,519 |
| $40,000 | $0 | $1,099 | $1,099 less in Washington | $34,320 | $33,221 |
| $50,000 | $0 | $1,521 | $1,521 less in Washington | $42,355 | $40,834 |
| $60,000 | $0 | $1,965 | $1,965 less in Washington | $50,390 | $48,425 |
| $75,000 | $0 | $2,680 | $2,680 less in Washington | $61,593 | $58,912 |
| $100,000 | $0 | $3,885 | $3,885 less in Washington | $79,180 | $75,295 |
| $150,000 | $0 | $6,295 | $6,295 less in Washington | $113,791 | $107,496 |
| $250,000 | $0 | $11,115 | $11,115 less in Washington | $183,182 | $172,067 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
| Income | WA state tax | WV state tax | Difference | WA take-home | WV take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $0 | $2,584 | $2,584 less in Washington | $64,623 | $62,039 |
| $100,000 | $0 | $3,789 | $3,789 less in Washington | $84,710 | $80,921 |
| $150,000 | $0 | $6,199 | $6,199 less in Washington | $123,185 | $116,986 |
| $250,000 | $0 | $11,019 | $11,019 less in Washington | $197,468 | $186,449 |
Married filing jointly, 2026, federal standard deduction. Uses each state's joint brackets where they differ.
Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Washington charges the same or less state income tax than West Virginia for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.
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.
| 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: Washington income tax calculator and West Virginia income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Washington is lower at $75,000: $0 of state income tax versus $2,680 in West Virginia. At $150,000 it is $0 in Washington and $6,295 in West Virginia. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Washington charges the same or less state income tax than West Virginia for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.
A single filer keeping $79,180 a year in Washington would keep $75,295 in West Virginia after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $3,885 a year, or $324 a month.
Washington has no tax on wages; West Virginia uses progressive rates up to 4.82%.
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.
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.
Last checked October 10, 2026. Confirm with your state tax agency before filing.
Estimates for education only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Not a substitute for a tax professional or your state revenue department.