Take-Home Pay by State Calculator
Estimate take-home pay when you stack a federal rate, a flat state income-tax rate and FICA — compare living in a high-tax vs no-tax state.
How it works
Net = gross × (1 − federal% − state% − FICA%) · State tax = gross × state%
This stacks three flat rates against gross pay: your federal effective rate, a state income-tax rate, and FICA (6.2% Social Security up to the wage cap plus 1.45% Medicare, 7.65% combined). Seven states levy no income tax at all — entering 0% for the state line shows exactly how much a move would save. Real state tax is often progressive or has a standard deduction, so a flat rate is an approximation, but it captures the headline difference between states well.
Worked example
A $90,000 salary at a 15% federal rate, 5% state rate and 7.65% FICA loses $13,500 + $4,500 + $6,885 = $24,885, leaving $65,115 net — about $5,426 a month. In a no-income-tax state the same salary nets $69,615, a $4,500 difference.
Frequently asked questions
Which states have no income tax?
Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming levy no state income tax; New Hampshire taxes only investment income. Enter 0% on the state line to model any of them.
What is FICA and is it the same everywhere?
FICA is the federal payroll tax for Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%), 7.65% combined, and it applies in every state. Social Security stops at an annual wage cap and high earners pay an extra 0.9% Medicare surtax, so 7.65% is the rate for most incomes.
Why is my real state tax different from a flat rate?
Most states use progressive brackets and allow deductions or exemptions, so your effective state rate is usually lower than the top bracket. Use your prior-year state return to find the flat rate that matches your situation.
Related calculators
Simplified estimate using a flat rate you supply — not payroll-accurate and not tax advice. Real withholding uses progressive brackets, credits and local taxes.