No income tax states in the US

No Income Tax States in the US: Salary Differences for 2026

Eight states have zero state income tax. See exactly how much more you'd take home compared to high-tax states like California and New York.

By US Payroll & Tax Research Analyst · Published: June 30, 2026 · Updated: July 28, 2026

State income tax is one of the biggest variables in your take-home pay. While federal taxes are the same for all US residents, state taxes can range from 0% to over 12%. For 2026, eight states charge no state income tax at all. Here's what that means for your paycheck, with real numbers comparing no-tax states against high-tax alternatives.
Editorial DisclaimerThis article is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial or tax advice. Sources: State tax agency websites, Federation of Tax Administrators, IRS Publication 15-T.

The Eight States with No Income Tax

As of 2026, these eight states impose no broad-based state income tax:

StateState NicknamePopulation RankNotable Notes
AlaskaThe Last Frontier#47Also has no state sales tax
FloridaThe Sunshine State#3Popular retirement destination
NevadaThe Silver State#31Reliant on tourism taxes
South DakotaThe Mount Rushmore State#46No personal or corporate income tax
TennesseeThe Volunteer State#16Only taxes dividends/interest
TexasThe Lone Star State#2Largest no-income-tax state by population
WashingtonThe Evergreen State#13No income tax but high sales tax
WyomingThe Equality State#50Lowest population in US

Note: New Hampshire and Tennessee have "no income tax" in most cases but do tax certain dividend and interest income above specific thresholds. For wage income, they function as no-tax states.

Take-Home Pay Comparison: Same Salary, Different States

Let's compare the same $100,000 annual salary (single filer, 5% 401(k), $250/month health insurance) across five states in 2026:

StateState Tax RateAnnual State TaxMonthly NetAnnual Net
Texas0.0%$0$5,688$68,256
Florida0.0%$0$5,688$68,256
Washington0.0%$0$5,688$68,256
Nevada0.0%$0$5,688$68,256
California7.25%$4,502$5,313$63,754
New York6.85%$4,257$5,349$64,107
Oregon9.0%$5,598$5,222$62,658
Minnesota9.85%$6,129$5,164$61,963

Annual Savings by State

Here's how much a $100,000 earner saves annually by living in a no-tax state vs. high-tax alternatives:

ComparisonAnnual SavingsMonthly Savings
Texas vs California$4,502$375
Texas vs New York$4,257$355
Texas vs Oregon$5,598$467
Texas vs Minnesota$6,129$511

Comparison by Income Bracket

The savings from no-income-tax states grow with your income. Here's a broader look:

Annual SalaryNo-Take-Home (TX)CA Take-HomeAnnual DiffMonthly Diff
$50,000$37,671$35,429$2,242$187
$75,000$51,645$48,706$2,939$245
$100,000$68,256$63,754$4,502$375
$150,000$99,732$90,935$8,797$733
$200,000$130,155$115,764$14,391$1,199

The Other Side: Sales and Property Taxes

No-income-tax states often compensate through other taxes. Here's a 2026 comparison of combined tax burdens:

StateState Income TaxSales Tax RateAvg Property Tax (Rate)Overall Tax Burden Rank
Texas0%6.25%1.81%#46 (high)
Florida0%7.0%0.98%#23 (moderate)
Washington0%10.1%0.92%#48 (high)
Nevada0%8.375%0.60%#15 (moderate-low)
Alaska0%0%0.98%#2 (lowest)
California7.25%7.25%0.74%#49 (highest)
New York6.85%8.0%0.88%#50 (highest)

Source: Federation of Tax Administrators, Tax Foundation State Tax Rankings 2026. Overall rank: #1 = lowest burden, #50 = highest burden.

Important Caveat

While no-income-tax states offer higher take-home pay from wages, the total tax picture matters. For retirees, states like Florida and Texas have lower overall tax burdens. For high-income earners still working, the income tax savings dominate and typically outweigh any higher property or sales tax differences.

Remote Work Considerations

For remote workers, state tax nexus rules are complex. Key points:

  • Physical presence: Most states consider you a resident for tax purposes if you spend more than a certain number of days (typically 183) in the state
  • NY and CA "remote worker" rules: New York and California have asserted the right to tax remote workers even if they live in another state and work for an in-state employer
  • Reciprocity agreements: Some states have tax reciprocity (e.g., PA/NJ, IL/IA), preventing double taxation
  • Check your specific situation: Remote workers should consult a tax professional regarding potential multi-state tax obligations

Calculate Your Own Savings

Use our State-to-State Pay Comparison Calculator to see your exact take-home in any two states side by side.

FAQ

Eight states: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming. TN and NH tax some investment income.

Moving from CA to TX for $100K saves ~$4,500/year. From NY to FL for $150K saves ~$14,000/year. Savings grow with income.

Yes. All states have property, sales, and excise taxes. WA has high sales tax, TX has high property tax. AK has neither sales nor income tax.

Higher property or sales taxes in some states. Less public funding for education and infrastructure in certain cases. Consider the full tax picture.

Remote workers may qualify for their resident state's rules. But NY and CA assert tax on remote workers for in-state employers. Consult a tax professional.