STATE TAX COMPARISON · TAX YEAR 2026
North Carolina vs Virginia taxes in 2026
North Carolina taxes income at a flat 3.99%, while Virginia taxes it at graduated rates from 2% to 5.75%. Single filers keep more in North Carolina at every income shown: $575 more at $50,000, rising to $4,095 at $250,000. A married couple with two children keeps more in North Carolina at every income shown: $619 more at $50,000, rising to $3,940 at $250,000.
Your estimate
- You keep more in North Carolina
- $1,014.62 a year
- North Carolina income tax
- $2,483.78
- Virginia income tax
- $3,498.40
- Take-home in North Carolina
- $59,108.72
- Take-home in Virginia
- $58,094.10
Take-home pay in North Carolina and Virginia
Take-home pay is wages minus state income tax, federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare. Property, sales and other taxes are not included.
| North Carolina | Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 in wages: $575 more take-home in North Carolina | ||
| State income tax | $1,486 | $2,061 |
| Take-home pay | $40,869 | $40,294 |
| $75,000 in wages: $1,015 more take-home in North Carolina | ||
| State income tax | $2,484 | $3,498 |
| Take-home pay | $59,109 | $58,094 |
| $100,000 in wages: $1,455 more take-home in North Carolina | ||
| State income tax | $3,481 | $4,936 |
| Take-home pay | $75,699 | $74,244 |
| $150,000 in wages: $2,335 more take-home in North Carolina | ||
| State income tax | $5,476 | $7,811 |
| Take-home pay | $108,315 | $105,980 |
| $250,000 in wages: $4,095 more take-home in North Carolina | ||
| State income tax | $9,466 | $13,561 |
| Take-home pay | $173,716 | $169,621 |
| North Carolina | Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 in wages: $619 more take-home in North Carolina | ||
| State income tax | $778 | $1,397 |
| Take-home pay | $48,017 | $47,398 |
| $75,000 in wages: $1,019 more take-home in North Carolina | ||
| State income tax | $1,815 | $2,835 |
| Take-home pay | $67,207 | $66,188 |
| $100,000 in wages: $1,420 more take-home in North Carolina | ||
| State income tax | $2,853 | $4,272 |
| Take-home pay | $86,257 | $84,838 |
| $150,000 in wages: $2,180 more take-home in North Carolina | ||
| State income tax | $4,968 | $7,147 |
| Take-home pay | $122,617 | $120,438 |
| $250,000 in wages: $3,940 more take-home in North Carolina | ||
| State income tax | $8,958 | $12,897 |
| Take-home pay | $192,910 | $188,971 |
Rates and deductions
| North Carolina | Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rates | 3.99% flat | 2% to 5.75% |
| Standard deduction | $12,750 single, $25,500 joint | $8,750 single, $17,500 joint |
| Personal exemption | None | $930 single, $1,860 joint |
Retirement and Social Security
Does North Carolina tax Social Security?
No. North Carolina does not tax Social Security benefits.
North Carolina Social Security tax rules
Does North Carolina tax retirement income?
Yes. North Carolina taxes pensions and 401(k) and IRA withdrawals, except government pensions vested by August 12, 1989 and military retirement after 20 years of service.
North Carolina retirement income tax for 2026
Does Virginia tax Social Security?
No. Virginia does not tax Social Security benefits.
Virginia Social Security tax rules
Does Virginia tax retirement income?
Yes. Virginia taxes pensions and 401(k) and IRA withdrawals, but each person 65 or older can deduct up to $12,000, reduced above $50,000 of income ($75,000 married).