STATE TAX COMPARISON · TAX YEAR 2026
California vs Washington taxes in 2026
Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington from $100,000 up, by $13,490 at $250,000.
Your estimate
- You keep more in Washington
- $2,665.12 a year
- California income tax
- $2,665.12
- Washington income tax
- $0.00
- Take-home in California
- $58,927.38
- Take-home in Washington
- $61,592.50
Take-home pay in California and Washington
Take-home pay is wages minus state income tax, federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare. Property, sales and other taxes are not included.
| California | Washington | |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 in wages: $973 more take-home in Washington | ||
| State income tax | $973 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $41,382 | $42,355 |
| $75,000 in wages: $2,665 more take-home in Washington | ||
| State income tax | $2,665 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $58,927 | $61,593 |
| $100,000 in wages: $4,911 more take-home in Washington | ||
| State income tax | $4,911 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $74,269 | $79,180 |
| $150,000 in wages: $9,561 more take-home in Washington | ||
| State income tax | $9,561 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $104,230 | $113,791 |
| $250,000 in wages: $18,861 more take-home in Washington | ||
| State income tax | $18,861 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $164,321 | $183,182 |
| California | Washington | |
|---|---|---|
| $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 Washington | ||
| State income tax | $964 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $88,146 | $89,110 |
| $150,000 in wages: $4,348 more take-home in Washington | ||
| State income tax | $4,348 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $123,237 | $127,585 |
| $250,000 in wages: $13,490 more take-home in Washington | ||
| State income tax | $13,490 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $188,378 | $201,868 |
Rates and deductions
| California | Washington | |
|---|---|---|
| Rates | 1% to 12.3%, plus 1% over $1 million | No wage income tax |
| Standard deduction | $5,900 single, $11,800 joint | None |
| 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 Washington tax Social Security?
No. Washington has no personal income tax, so it does not tax Social Security benefits.
Washington Social Security tax rules
Does Washington tax retirement income?
No. Washington has no personal income tax, so it does not tax pensions or 401(k) and IRA withdrawals. Federal income tax still applies.