STATE TAX COMPARISON · TAX YEAR 2026
Texas vs California taxes in 2026
Texas has no income tax on wages, while California taxes income at graduated rates from 1% to 12.3%, plus 1% over $1 million. Single filers keep more in Texas at every income shown: $973 more at $50,000, rising to $18,861 at $250,000. For a married couple with two children, take-home pay is the same up to $75,000 and higher in Texas from $100,000 up, by $13,490 at $250,000.
Your estimate
- You keep more in Texas
- $2,665.12 a year
- Texas income tax
- $0.00
- California income tax
- $2,665.12
- Take-home in Texas
- $61,592.50
- Take-home in California
- $58,927.38
Take-home pay in Texas and California
Take-home pay is wages minus state income tax, federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare. Property, sales and other taxes are not included.
| Texas | California | |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 in wages: $973 more take-home in Texas | ||
| State income tax | $0 | $973 |
| Take-home pay | $42,355 | $41,382 |
| $75,000 in wages: $2,665 more take-home in Texas | ||
| State income tax | $0 | $2,665 |
| Take-home pay | $61,593 | $58,927 |
| $100,000 in wages: $4,911 more take-home in Texas | ||
| State income tax | $0 | $4,911 |
| Take-home pay | $79,180 | $74,269 |
| $150,000 in wages: $9,561 more take-home in Texas | ||
| State income tax | $0 | $9,561 |
| Take-home pay | $113,791 | $104,230 |
| $250,000 in wages: $18,861 more take-home in Texas | ||
| State income tax | $0 | $18,861 |
| Take-home pay | $183,182 | $164,321 |
| Texas | California | |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 in wages: same take-home pay | ||
| State income tax | $0 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $48,795 | $48,795 |
| $75,000 in wages: same take-home pay | ||
| State income tax | $0 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $69,023 | $69,023 |
| $100,000 in wages: $964 more take-home in Texas | ||
| State income tax | $0 | $964 |
| Take-home pay | $89,110 | $88,146 |
| $150,000 in wages: $4,348 more take-home in Texas | ||
| State income tax | $0 | $4,348 |
| Take-home pay | $127,585 | $123,237 |
| $250,000 in wages: $13,490 more take-home in Texas | ||
| State income tax | $0 | $13,490 |
| Take-home pay | $201,868 | $188,378 |
Rates and deductions
| Texas | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Rates | No wage income tax | 1% to 12.3%, plus 1% over $1 million |
| Standard deduction | None | $5,900 single, $11,800 joint |
| Personal exemption | None | $158 single, $316 joint (credit), shrinking above $252,203 of income ($504,411 joint) |
Retirement and Social Security
Does Texas tax Social Security?
No. Texas has no personal income tax, so it does not tax Social Security benefits.
Texas Social Security tax rules
Does Texas tax retirement income?
No. Texas has no personal income tax, so it does not tax pensions or 401(k) and IRA withdrawals. Federal income tax still applies.
Texas retirement income tax for 2026
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.