$100K Salary: What You Actually Take Home in Every State
We calculated the real take-home pay for a $100,000 salary across all 50 states. The difference might surprise you.
A $100,000 salary sounds great on paper. But depending on where you live, your actual take-home pay could vary by nearly $10,000 per year. We ran the numbers for every state.
The Federal Tax Bite
Before we get to state differences, let's look at what Uncle Sam takes from everyone:
Using our US Salary Calculator, here's the federal breakdown for a $100K salary (single filer, 2024):
| Tax Type | Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| Federal Income Tax | $14,260 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | $6,200 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | $1,450 |
| Total Federal | $21,910 |
That leaves $78,090 before state taxes. But here's where it gets interesting.
The Best States: No Income Tax
Nine states have no state income tax. If you earn $100K in these states, you keep that full $78,090:
| State | Monthly Take-Home | Annual Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | $6,508 | $78,090 |
| Florida | $6,508 | $78,090 |
| Nevada | $6,508 | $78,090 |
| Washington | $6,508 | $78,090 |
| Wyoming | $6,508 | $78,090 |
| South Dakota | $6,508 | $78,090 |
| Alaska | $6,508 | $78,090 |
| Tennessee | $6,508 | $78,090 |
| New Hampshire* | $6,508 | $78,090 |
*New Hampshire only taxes dividends and interest, not wages.
The Middle Ground
Most states fall somewhere in between. Here's a sample:
| State | State Tax | Annual Take-Home | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $2,592 | $75,498 | $6,292 |
| Colorado | $4,400 | $73,690 | $6,141 |
| Illinois | $4,950 | $73,140 | $6,095 |
| North Carolina | $5,250 | $72,840 | $6,070 |
| Georgia | $5,360 | $72,730 | $6,061 |
| Virginia | $5,410 | $72,680 | $6,057 |
| Massachusetts | $5,000 | $73,090 | $6,091 |
The Highest Tax States
These states take the biggest bite out of your $100K:
| State | State Tax | Annual Take-Home | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $6,001 | $72,089 | $6,007 |
| New York* | $5,907 | $72,183 | $6,015 |
| Oregon | $8,190 | $69,900 | $5,825 |
| Hawaii | $7,500 | $70,590 | $5,883 |
| Minnesota | $6,535 | $71,555 | $5,963 |
| New Jersey | $5,238 | $72,852 | $6,071 |
*New York City residents pay an additional 3-4% city tax, reducing take-home to around $68,000.
The Real Difference: $8,190 Per Year
The gap between the highest and lowest tax states is significant:
- Oregon (highest): $69,900 take-home
- Texas (no tax): $78,090 take-home
- Difference: $8,190 per year
That's $682 per month - enough for a car payment, significant investing, or a nice monthly dinner budget.
But Wait: Cost of Living Matters
Before you pack up for Texas, consider the full picture:
| State | Take-Home | COL Index | Adjusted Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $78,090 | 92 | $84,880 |
| California | $72,089 | 142 | $50,767 |
| New York (NYC) | $68,000 | 187 | $36,364 |
| Florida | $78,090 | 98 | $79,683 |
| Oregon | $69,900 | 113 | $61,858 |
Interpretation: A $100K salary in Texas has the purchasing power of about $85K when adjusted for cost of living. That same salary in NYC? Closer to $36K in purchasing power.
State-by-State Comparison
Here's the complete picture for a $100K salary:
No Income Tax States
All take home $78,090 annually / $6,508 monthly
Low Tax States (Under $3,000)
| State | Tax | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | $1,680 | $76,410 |
| Pennsylvania | $3,070 | $75,020 |
| Indiana | $3,150 | $74,940 |
| Michigan | $4,250 | $73,840 |
| Arizona | $2,592 | $75,498 |
Medium Tax States ($3,000-$5,000)
| State | Tax | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $4,400 | $73,690 |
| Illinois | $4,950 | $73,140 |
| Utah | $4,850 | $73,240 |
| Ohio | $3,688 | $74,402 |
Higher Tax States ($5,000+)
| State | Tax | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| California | $6,001 | $72,089 |
| New York | $5,907 | $72,183 |
| Oregon | $8,190 | $69,900 |
| Minnesota | $6,535 | $71,555 |
| Hawaii | $7,500 | $70,590 |
What About Remote Work?
If you work remotely, you're generally taxed based on where you live, not where your company is headquartered. This has led to:
- Tech workers moving from California to Texas, Nevada, or Florida
- Finance workers leaving New York for Florida
- The rise of "tax migration" to no-income-tax states
***** If you're considering a move for tax reasons, also factor in property taxes, sales tax, and cost of living. Some no-income-tax states make up for it with higher property taxes.
Run Your Own Numbers
Your situation is unique. Use our US Salary Calculator to see your exact take-home based on:
- Your actual salary
- Your filing status (single, married, head of household)
- Your state
- Pre-tax deductions (401k, HSA, etc.)
Calculate your take-home pay:
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A $100K salary means different things in different states:
- Best case (Texas, Florida, etc.): $78,090 take-home
- Worst case (Oregon): $69,900 take-home
- NYC: ~$68,000 after city tax
That's a potential $10,000 difference based solely on where you live. Add in cost of living, and the real purchasing power varies even more dramatically.
Before accepting a job offer or planning a move, always run the numbers. Your salary is just the starting point.