What you owe in state and local taxes varies by $10,000 or more depending on where you live. A family earning $100,000 pays effectively zero state income tax in Florida but over $8,000 in California. This guide ranks all 50 states by total tax burden for 2026 — income tax, sales tax, property tax, and effective rates for different incomes.
2026 State Tax Rankings: Overall (Best to Worst)
| Rank | State | No Income Tax | Sales Tax (combined) | Property Tax (eff. rate) | Overall Tax Burden | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming | ✅ | 5.36% | 0.56% | Very Low | A+ |
| 2 | Nevada | ✅ | 8.23% | 0.53% | Very Low | A+ |
| 3 | Florida | ✅ | 7.01% | 0.86% | Low | A |
| 4 | Alaska | ✅ | 1.76% | 1.04% | Low | A |
| 5 | South Dakota | ✅ | 6.40% | 1.17% | Low | A |
| 6 | Tennessee | ✅ | 9.55% | 0.64% | Low | A- |
| 7 | New Hampshire | ✅* | 0.00% | 1.86% | Low-Medium | B+ |
| 8 | Texas | ✅ | 8.20% | 1.68% | Medium | B+ |
| 9 | Washington | ✅ | 9.29% | 0.87% | Medium | B |
| 10 | North Dakota | No (1.95% max) | 6.96% | 0.98% | Medium | B |
*New Hampshire taxes dividends and interest income only; that tax phases out completely in 2027.
The Middle 30 States
| Rank | State | Income Tax Range | Sales Tax | Property Tax | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Montana | 1.0-6.75% | 0.00% | 0.74% | B |
| 12 | Indiana | 3.05% flat | 7.00% | 0.81% | B |
| 13 | Utah | 4.55% flat | 7.19% | 0.57% | B |
| 14 | Arizona | 2.50% flat | 8.37% | 0.62% | B |
| 15 | Colorado | 4.40% flat | 7.77% | 0.49% | B |
| 16 | Idaho | 5.80% flat | 6.02% | 0.63% | B- |
| 17 | Oklahoma | 0.25-4.75% | 8.98% | 0.87% | B- |
| 18 | North Carolina | 4.50% flat | 6.99% | 0.80% | B- |
| 19 | Missouri | 2.0-4.80% | 8.29% | 0.91% | B- |
| 20 | Alabama | 2.0-5.0% | 9.24% | 0.40% | B- |
| 21 | Georgia | 1.0-5.39% | 7.37% | 0.89% | C+ |
| 22 | Michigan | 4.25% flat | 6.00% | 1.38% | C+ |
| 23 | South Carolina | 0-6.40% | 7.44% | 0.56% | C+ |
| 24 | Louisiana | 1.85-4.25% | 9.55% | 0.55% | C+ |
| 25 | Kentucky | 4.00% flat | 6.00% | 0.83% | C+ |
| 26 | Virginia | 2.0-5.75% | 5.75% | 0.80% | C |
| 27 | West Virginia | 2.36-5.12% | 6.50% | 0.57% | C |
| 28 | Arkansas | 2.0-3.90% | 9.45% | 0.62% | C |
| 29 | Mississippi | 0-5.0% | 7.07% | 0.65% | C |
| 30 | Ohio | 0-3.50% | 7.24% | 1.53% | C |
| 31 | Nebraska | 2.46-5.84% | 6.94% | 1.61% | C- |
| 32 | Kansas | 3.1-5.7% | 8.71% | 1.33% | C- |
| 33 | Pennsylvania | 3.07% flat | 6.34% | 1.49% | C- |
| 34 | Wisconsin | 3.50-7.65% | 5.43% | 1.61% | C- |
| 35 | Iowa | 4.40-5.70% | 6.94% | 1.52% | C- |
| 36 | Maine | 5.80-7.15% | 5.50% | 1.24% | D+ |
| 37 | Rhode Island | 3.75-5.99% | 7.00% | 1.40% | D+ |
| 38 | Vermont | 3.35-8.75% | 6.24% | 1.83% | D+ |
| 39 | Maryland | 2.0-5.75% + local | 6.00% | 1.07% | D |
| 40 | Oregon | 4.75-9.90% | 0.00% | 0.93% | D |
The 10 Highest-Tax States
| Rank | State | Income Tax Range | Sales Tax | Property Tax | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | Hawaii | 1.40-11.0% | 4.44% | 0.31% | D |
| 42 | Massachusetts | 5.00% flat + 4% surtax >$1M | 6.25% | 1.15% | D |
| 43 | Minnesota | 5.35-9.85% | 7.49% | 1.08% | D- |
| 44 | Connecticut | 3.0-6.99% | 6.35% | 1.79% | D- |
| 45 | Illinois | 4.95% flat | 8.82% | 2.07% | D- |
| 46 | New Jersey | 1.40-10.75% | 6.63% | 2.23% | F |
| 47 | California | 1.0-13.3% | 8.68% | 0.71% | F |
| 48 | New York | 4.0-10.9% + NYC 3.88% | 8.52% | 1.40% | F |
| 49 | Connecticut/NJ* | F | |||
| 50 | New York (NYC resident) | 12.7-14.8% combined | 8.88% | 0.88% | F |
Tax Bill Comparison by Income Level
$75,000 Household Income (Single, No Home)
| State | Income Tax | Sales Tax (est.) | Total State/Local Tax | Savings vs. CA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $0 | $1,600 | $1,600 | $5,600 |
| Florida | $0 | $2,100 | $2,100 | $5,100 |
| Texas | $0 | $2,460 | $2,460 | $4,740 |
| Tennessee | $0 | $2,870 | $2,870 | $4,330 |
| North Carolina | $3,375 | $2,100 | $5,475 | $1,725 |
| Colorado | $3,300 | $2,330 | $5,630 | $1,570 |
| Georgia | $3,600 | $2,210 | $5,810 | $1,390 |
| California | $4,200 | $3,000 | $7,200 | — |
| Minnesota | $5,100 | $2,250 | $7,350 | -$150 |
| New York (NYC) | $6,300 | $2,660 | $8,960 | -$1,760 |
$150,000 Household Income (Married, Homeowners, $400K Home)
| State | Income Tax | Property Tax | Sales Tax | Total Tax | Savings vs. CA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $0 | $2,240 | $3,200 | $5,440 | $15,160 |
| Florida | $0 | $3,440 | $4,200 | $7,640 | $12,960 |
| Nevada | $0 | $2,120 | $4,940 | $7,060 | $13,540 |
| Texas | $0 | $6,720 | $4,920 | $11,640 | $8,960 |
| North Carolina | $6,750 | $3,200 | $4,200 | $14,150 | $6,450 |
| Colorado | $6,600 | $1,960 | $4,660 | $13,220 | $7,380 |
| Georgia | $7,500 | $3,560 | $4,420 | $15,480 | $5,120 |
| California | $10,800 | $2,840 | $6,960 | $20,600 | — |
| New Jersey | $7,200 | $8,920 | $3,980 | $20,100 | $500 |
| New York (NYC) | $12,500 | $5,600 | $5,330 | $23,430 | -$2,830 |
$300,000 Household Income (Married, Homeowners, $600K Home)
| State | Income Tax | Property Tax | Sales Tax | Total Tax | Savings vs. CA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $0 | $3,360 | $5,000 | $8,360 | $31,540 |
| Florida | $0 | $5,160 | $6,500 | $11,660 | $28,240 |
| Texas | $0 | $10,080 | $7,380 | $17,460 | $22,440 |
| North Carolina | $13,500 | $4,800 | $6,300 | $24,600 | $15,300 |
| Colorado | $13,200 | $2,940 | $6,990 | $23,130 | $16,770 |
| California | $26,400 | $4,260 | $9,240 | $39,900 | — |
| New York | $21,000 | $8,400 | $7,660 | $37,060 | $2,840 |
| New York (NYC) | $27,800 | $5,280 | $8,000 | $41,080 | -$1,180 |
At $300K income, moving from California to Wyoming saves $31,540/year in taxes — that’s $2,628/month.
Best States by Situation
Best States for High Earners ($200K+)
| Rank | State | Why | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming | No income tax, low everything else | Remote location, limited services |
| 2 | Nevada | No income tax, near California amenities | High sales tax, desert climate |
| 3 | Florida | No income tax, strong economy, lifestyle | Hurricane insurance costs, humidity |
| 4 | Tennessee | No income tax, growing economy (Nashville) | High sales tax (9.55% combined) |
| 5 | Texas | No income tax, massive job market | Very high property taxes (1.68%) |
Best States for Retirees
| Rank | State | Why | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming | No income tax on any retirement income | Cold winters, remote |
| 2 | Florida | No income tax, no estate tax, warm climate | Hurricane insurance, flood risk |
| 3 | Nevada | No income tax, no inheritance tax | Hot summers in Las Vegas |
| 4 | South Dakota | No income tax, low COL | Very cold winters |
| 5 | Tennessee | No income tax, moderate climate | Sales tax on groceries |
Best States for Families
| Rank | State | Why | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Utah | Low effective rate, great schools, family culture | Higher income tax (4.55%) |
| 2 | Florida | No income tax, outdoor lifestyle | Schools vary widely by district |
| 3 | Indiana | Low flat tax (3.05%), affordable housing | Limited major metro areas |
| 4 | North Carolina | Flat 4.50%, growing economy, good weather | Hurricane risk on coast |
| 5 | Colorado | Flat 4.40%, outdoor lifestyle, strong schools | Rising housing costs |
Worst States for Each Situation
| Situation | Worst States | Why |
|---|---|---|
| High earners | California, New York, New Jersey | 10-13%+ top income tax rates |
| Retirees | Minnesota, Vermont, Connecticut | Tax most retirement income + high property taxes |
| Shoppers/consumers | Tennessee, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama | 9%+ combined sales tax on most purchases |
| Homeowners | New Jersey, Illinois, Connecticut | 1.79-2.23% effective property tax rates |
2026 Tax Law Changes by State
| State | Change | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Flat 2.50% tax now fully implemented | Saved taxpayers earning $100K about $1,200 vs. old graduated rates |
| Massachusetts | 4% surtax on income >$1M still in effect | Millionaires pay 9% on income over $1M |
| Iowa | Continued rate reduction (flat 3.90% target by 2027) | Middle-income taxpayers saving $500-$1,500/year |
| Mississippi | Income tax phase-out in progress | Gradual elimination of income tax over 10 years |
| New Hampshire | Dividends/interest tax ends in 2027 | Soon will be fully no-income-tax state |
| Idaho | Flat 5.80% rate (simplified from graduated) | Simplification, slight savings for higher earners |
Should You Move for Tax Savings?
The Break-Even Analysis
| Your Income | Tax Savings (CA → FL) | Moving Cost | Break-Even |
|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $5,100/year | $10,000-$20,000 | 2-4 years |
| $100,000 | $7,500/year | $10,000-$20,000 | 1-3 years |
| $150,000 | $13,000/year | $15,000-$25,000 | 1-2 years |
| $300,000 | $31,500/year | $15,000-$30,000 | Under 1 year |
Don’t Forget These Factors
| Factor | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Cost of living difference | Lower taxes may be offset by higher housing/gas/groceries |
| Job market and salary | Moving to a no-tax state may come with a salary cut |
| Quality of schools | Some low-tax states have underfunded schools |
| Healthcare access | Some low-tax rural states have limited healthcare |
| Social network and family | The non-financial cost of moving is real |
Bottom line: Moving purely for tax savings makes clear financial sense at $150K+ income. Below that, the savings need to align with lifestyle preferences to be worthwhile.
See also:Best States to Retire for Taxes in 2026: Which States Tax Retirees the Least·Digital Nomad Tax Guide: How to Handle Taxes While Working Abroad (2026)
The content on Wealthvieu is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Full disclaimer · Editorial policy