California vs Texas: Who Takes Home More?

California and Texas are the two most-compared states for take-home pay — and for good reason. They sit at opposite ends of the spectrum: Texas levies no state income tax, while California’s top rate reaches 13.3%. On the same salary, the difference in your paycheck is real money.

The same $100,000, two very different results

Federal income tax (~$13,600) and FICA ($7,650) are identical in both states. The gap is entirely state income tax:

• In Texas, there’s no state tax, so take-home is about $6,560/month.
• In California, roughly $6,000/year of state tax brings take-home down to about $6,060/month.

But salary isn’t the whole story

Before you pack your bags, the comparison cuts both ways:

• Cost of living. Housing in coastal California is far higher than most of Texas — often more than offsetting the tax saving.
• Property & sales tax. Texas has no income tax but relatively high property taxes; California’s are comparatively moderate.
• Salaries differ. The same role often pays more in California’s major metros, which can narrow the after-tax gap.

Compare your own number

The right way to decide is with your actual salary. Try the California salary calculator and the Texas salary calculator side by side, or see the full take-home by state ranking to place every state on the map.