Texas vs California paycheck difference
Texas has no state wage income tax. California has progressive state income tax and SDI withholding. On the same $75K salary, that creates an estimated take-home difference of $3,750 per year.
| Salary | Texas take-home | California take-home | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $60K | $50,390 | $47,970 | $2,420 |
| $75K | $61,593 | $57,843 | $3,750 |
| $100K | $79,180 | $72,825 | $6,355 |
| $120K | $93,250 | $84,775 | $8,475 |
Taxes are only one side of the move
Take-home pay matters, but relocation decisions also need rent, home insurance, property tax, commuting, childcare, health insurance, and career growth. A lower-tax state is not automatically cheaper for every household.