Compare income tax, sales tax, and property tax across all 50 states. Enter your income to instantly see how much you would pay in every state and find the lowest tax burden.
Select two states and enter your income to see a side-by-side tax comparison.
When most Americans think about taxes, they focus on their federal income tax return. But state and local taxes can add tens of thousands of dollars to your annual tax burden, or save you just as much if you live in the right state. The difference between living in a high-tax state like California or New York versus a no-income-tax state like Texas or Florida can amount to $10,000 or more per year for a typical household.
State taxes go far beyond just income tax. Your total state tax burden includes income taxes, sales taxes on everyday purchases, and property taxes on your home. A state with no income tax may compensate with higher property or sales taxes, which is why it is critical to look at the complete picture before making financial decisions or planning a move.
The United States has one of the most varied sub-national tax systems in the world. Each state has broad authority to set its own tax policy, resulting in dramatic differences from coast to coast.
Seven states charge no income tax at all: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. New Hampshire recently eliminated its tax on interest and dividends, effectively joining this group. At the other extreme, California's top rate reaches 13.3% (including the mental health services surcharge), and New Jersey tops out at 10.75%.
Between these extremes, states use different approaches. Some, like Illinois (4.95%) and Pennsylvania (3.07%), use a flat tax where everyone pays the same rate regardless of income. Others, like New York and Hawaii, use graduated brackets where higher earners pay higher rates.
See the full income tax comparison for all 50 states →
Five states have no state sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. However, local jurisdictions in Alaska can impose their own sales taxes. At the other end, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Arkansas have combined state and local rates exceeding 9.5%.
Sales tax hits lower-income households harder since they spend a higher percentage of income on taxable goods. Many states exempt groceries and prescription drugs to offset this regressive effect.
View all state sales tax rates and exemptions →
Property tax is often the largest state/local tax for homeowners. New Jersey leads the nation with an effective rate of approximately 2.23%, followed by Illinois (2.07%) and Connecticut (2.15%). On a $400,000 home, that translates to $8,000 to $9,000 per year. Hawaii has the lowest effective rate at about 0.27%, meaning the same home would cost just $1,080 in property taxes.
Compare property tax rates across all states →
Highest income tax in the US at 13.3%. Nine tax brackets with an additional 1% surcharge on income over $1M.
No state income tax. Funded by high property taxes (~1.60%) and a 6.25% state sales tax.
No state income tax. A popular destination for retirees with moderate property and sales taxes.
Top rate of 10.9% state. NYC residents face an additional 3.078%–3.876% city income tax.
State income tax works similarly to the federal income tax. Most states with an income tax use either a flat rate (everyone pays the same percentage) or a graduated/progressive system (higher earners pay higher rates). Your state income tax is based on your taxable income after deductions and exemptions, which vary by state.
Sales tax is charged as a percentage of the purchase price on most goods and some services. Unlike income tax, sales tax is the same regardless of your income level. Total sales tax rates often include both state and local components. Some states exempt necessities like groceries, clothing, or prescription medications from sales tax.
Property tax is levied on real estate (and sometimes personal property like vehicles) based on assessed value. Rates are typically set at the county or municipal level and fund local schools, infrastructure, and public services. Homeowners may qualify for exemptions such as the homestead exemption, senior citizen exemptions, or veteran exemptions that reduce the taxable value of their home.
If you are considering relocating to another state, taxes should be a significant factor in your decision. However, it is important to look at the complete picture rather than focusing on a single tax type. A state with no income tax might have higher property taxes that could actually increase your overall costs, especially if you own an expensive home.
Use our state tax comparison calculator to see exactly how your tax situation would change by moving from one state to another. Our tool factors in income tax, sales tax, and property tax to give you a comprehensive view of your potential savings or additional costs.
Beyond taxes, consider the cost of living, quality of public services, job market, and climate. A state with low taxes but high housing costs or poor public infrastructure may not actually save you money in the long run.
For self-employed individuals and freelancers, state taxes add another layer of complexity. Use our self-employment tax calculator to see how federal self-employment tax combines with state income tax in your state.
Seven states have no state income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. New Hampshire eliminated its tax on interest and dividends in 2025, making it effectively a no-income-tax state as well. Tennessee previously taxed dividends and interest but fully phased out this tax in 2021.
California has the highest top marginal state income tax rate at 13.3% (12.3% plus a 1% mental health services surcharge on income over $1 million). Other high-tax states include Hawaii (11%), New Jersey (10.75%), Oregon (9.9%), and Minnesota (9.85%).
Your total state tax burden includes state income tax, sales tax on purchases, and property tax on your home. Use our free calculator at the top of this page to enter your income, annual spending, and home value to see a complete tax picture for any state. The calculator uses real 2025/2026 tax brackets and rates.
Generally, yes. States without income tax often make up revenue through higher sales or property taxes. For example, Texas has no income tax but has one of the highest property tax rates (approximately 1.60%). Washington state has no income tax but has high combined sales tax rates (around 9.23% on average). However, Alaska has no income tax, no sales tax, and relatively moderate property taxes, funded largely by oil revenue.
Your marginal tax rate is the rate you pay on your last dollar of income (the highest bracket you fall into). Your effective tax rate is the total tax you actually pay divided by your total income, which is always lower than your marginal rate because income is taxed at progressively higher rates across brackets. For example, if you earn $100,000 in California, your marginal rate might be 9.3%, but your effective state tax rate would be around 5.5%.