STATE TAX COMPARISON · TAX YEAR 2026
California vs New York taxes in 2026
Both use graduated rates, California from 1% to 12.3% and New York from 3.9% to 10.9%. For single filers, take-home pay is higher in California up to $75,000 and higher in New York from $100,000 up, by $2,914 at $250,000. A married couple with two children keeps more in California at every income shown: $1,393 more at $50,000 and $195 at $250,000.
Your estimate
- You keep more in California
- $788.28 a year
- California income tax
- $2,665.12
- New York income tax
- $3,453.40
- Take-home in California
- $58,927.38
- Take-home in New York
- $58,139.10
New York figures exclude New York City tax.
Take-home pay in California and New York
Take-home pay is wages minus state income tax, federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare. Property, sales and other taxes are not included. New York figures exclude New York City tax.
| California | New York | |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 in wages: $1,130 more take-home in California | ||
| State income tax | $973 | $2,103 |
| Take-home pay | $41,382 | $40,252 |
| $75,000 in wages: $788 more take-home in California | ||
| State income tax | $2,665 | $3,453 |
| Take-home pay | $58,927 | $58,139 |
| $100,000 in wages: $50 more take-home in New York | ||
| State income tax | $4,911 | $4,861 |
| Take-home pay | $74,269 | $74,319 |
| $150,000 in wages: $1,270 more take-home in New York | ||
| State income tax | $9,561 | $8,291 |
| Take-home pay | $104,230 | $105,500 |
| $250,000 in wages: $2,914 more take-home in New York | ||
| State income tax | $18,861 | $15,947 |
| Take-home pay | $164,321 | $167,235 |
| California | New York | |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 in wages: $1,393 more take-home in California | ||
| State income tax | $0 | $1,393 |
| Take-home pay | $48,795 | $47,402 |
| $75,000 in wages: $2,743 more take-home in California | ||
| State income tax | $0 | $2,743 |
| Take-home pay | $69,023 | $66,280 |
| $100,000 in wages: $3,129 more take-home in California | ||
| State income tax | $964 | $4,093 |
| Take-home pay | $88,146 | $85,017 |
| $150,000 in wages: $2,727 more take-home in California | ||
| State income tax | $4,348 | $7,075 |
| Take-home pay | $123,237 | $120,510 |
| $250,000 in wages: $195 more take-home in California | ||
| State income tax | $13,490 | $13,685 |
| Take-home pay | $188,378 | $188,183 |
Rates and deductions
| California | New York | |
|---|---|---|
| Rates | 1% to 12.3%, plus 1% over $1 million | 3.9% to 10.9% |
| Standard deduction | $5,900 single, $11,800 joint | $8,000 single, $16,050 joint |
| Personal exemption | $158 single, $316 joint (credit), shrinking above $252,203 of income ($504,411 joint) | None |
Retirement and Social Security
Does California tax Social Security?
No. California does not tax Social Security benefits.
California Social Security tax rules
Does California tax retirement income?
Yes. California taxes pensions and 401(k) and IRA withdrawals at its regular rates, with no general retirement exclusion.
California retirement income tax for 2026
Does New York tax Social Security?
No. New York does not tax Social Security benefits.
New York Social Security tax rules
Does New York tax retirement income?
Partly. New York exempts New York State and local, federal and military pensions, and from age 59 1/2 excludes up to $20,000 per person of other pension and IRA income.