State Tax Comparison Guide: Income, Property & Sales Tax by State
Compare state income taxes, property taxes, and sales taxes across all 50 states. Relocation tax analysis, state-specific calculators, and guides to minimize your state tax burden.
Calculators & Tools (5)
California Form 540 2EZ Tax Calculator
Use our California 540 2EZ tax calculator for single, married, or head of household filers with income under $100,000. Based on official FTB 2EZ tax tables.
California State Income Tax Calculator (FTB Form 540)
Calculate your 2025 California state income tax using official FTB tax brackets. Supports all filing statuses with standard deduction and exemption credits.
Michigan Fuel Inventory Tax Calculator - Calculate One-Time Tax on Dec 31, 2025 Inventory
Free Michigan fuel inventory tax calculator. Businesses and end users: calculate the special one-time inventory tax on fuel held December 31, 2025. Due February 20, 2026.
Guides & Articles (20)
Arizona vs California Taxes: Complete Comparison
AZ vs CA tax comparison. California has 13.3% top rate. Arizona has 2.5% flat tax. Phoenix vs LA/San Diego migration guide with calculators.
California Form 540 2EZ: Who Qualifies and How to File
Learn who can use California's simplified Form 540 2EZ, what income qualifies, how to read the 2EZ tax table, and when you must switch to Form 540.
California Income Tax Rates and Brackets Explained
A complete guide to California's nine income tax brackets, standard deductions, exemption credits, and how the FTB calculates your state tax liability.
California vs Florida Taxes: Complete Comparison + Savings Calculator
Comprehensive California vs Florida tax comparison. Compare income tax, sales tax, property tax rates. See exactly how much you could save. Free calculators included.
California vs Nevada Taxes: Complete Comparison
CA vs NV tax comparison. Nevada has no income tax vs California 13.3%. Bay Area to Reno/Vegas migration guide with savings calculators.
California vs Texas Taxes: Complete Comparison + Savings Calculator
Comprehensive California vs Texas tax comparison for 2026. Compare income tax, sales tax, property tax rates. See exactly how much you could save by moving. Free calculators included.
Colorado vs Texas Taxes: Complete Comparison
CO vs TX tax comparison 2026. Colorado has 4.4% flat tax. Texas has no income tax. Denver vs Austin/Dallas comparison with savings calculators.
Illinois vs Texas Taxes: Complete Comparison + Calculator
IL vs TX tax comparison 2026. Texas has no income tax vs Illinois 4.95% flat tax. Chicago to Austin/Dallas migration guide with savings calculators.
Massachusetts vs New Hampshire Taxes: Comparison
MA vs NH tax comparison 2026. New Hampshire has no income tax. Massachusetts has 5% flat tax. Border state comparison with commuter considerations.
Michigan Gas Tax 2026: Complete Guide to the 52.4¢ Per Gallon Increase
Everything you need to know about Michigan's 2026 fuel tax increase from 31¢ to 52.4¢ per gallon. Includes sales tax elimination, inventory tax requirements, and impact analysis.
Michigan vs Ohio Gas Tax 2026: Is It Worth Crossing the Border?
Compare Michigan's 52.4¢/gal fuel tax to Ohio's 38.5¢/gal rate. Calculate if driving to Ohio for gas saves money. Analysis for Toledo, Monroe, and border residents.
New Jersey vs Florida Taxes: Complete Comparison
NJ vs FL tax comparison 2026. New Jersey has the highest property taxes in America. Florida has no income tax. See your savings with our calculators.
New York vs Florida Taxes: Complete Comparison + Savings Calculator
Comprehensive New York vs Florida tax comparison for 2026. Compare income tax, sales tax, property tax rates. See exactly how much you could save by moving to FL. Free calculators included.
New York vs Texas Taxes: Complete Comparison + Calculator
NY vs TX tax comparison 2026. No income tax in Texas vs 10.9% in NY. See your exact savings with our free calculators. Complete guide for those considering relocation.
North Carolina vs South Carolina Taxes
NC vs SC tax comparison 2026. Compare income tax, sales tax, property tax between the Carolinas. Retirement and relocation guide with calculators.
Pennsylvania vs Delaware Taxes: Comparison
PA vs DE tax comparison 2026. Delaware has no sales tax. Compare income tax, property tax, and total tax burden for these neighboring states.
St. Louis County Property Tax Guide: Rates, Exemptions & How to Lower Your Bill
Complete guide to St. Louis County property taxes. Current rates, assessment process, exemptions, appeals, and strategies to lower your property tax bill.
Tennessee vs California Taxes: Complete Comparison
TN vs CA tax comparison 2026. Tennessee has no income tax. California has 13.3%. Nashville boom vs LA/SF. Complete relocation guide with calculators.
State taxes can represent a larger percentage of your total tax burden than federal income tax — especially in high-tax states like California, New York, and New Jersey. With remote work making relocation more viable than ever, understanding state tax differences is a powerful financial lever.
The State Tax Landscape
Income Tax
Nine states have no income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. States with income tax range from 2.5% (Arizona flat tax) to 13.3% (California's top marginal rate).
Property Tax
Property taxes vary dramatically — New Jersey averages over 2% of home value annually; Hawaii averages under 0.3%. Local levies, school district rates, and assessment practices create wide variation even within a single state.
Sales Tax
Five states have no state sales tax: Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Delaware, and Alaska. Combined state + local rates can exceed 10% in some jurisdictions (Louisiana, Tennessee, Arkansas).
Total Tax Burden
The "best" state for taxes depends on your income level, asset mix, and spending habits. A retiree with pension income needs a different state than a high-earning W-2 employee or a business owner with pass-through income.
Relocation Tax Analysis
Moving from a high-tax to a low-tax state is a major financial decision requiring careful analysis:
- Domicile establishment — you must genuinely change your primary residence; states aggressively audit high-income departures
- Timing matters — leaving California or New York mid-year doesn't end your tax obligation; you'll file as a part-year resident
- Source income rules — some income (rental income, business income from in-state activities) remains taxable in the original state regardless of where you live
State-Specific Highlights
California
California's 9 tax brackets peak at 13.3% on income over $1 million. The state also taxes capital gains as ordinary income. The Franchise Tax Board (FTB) aggressively pursues residents who claim to have moved.
Michigan
Michigan's 2026 fuel tax increase — from 31¢ to 52.4¢ per gallon — represents one of the largest gas tax hikes in US history. The state also eliminated the sales tax on fuel and replaced it with a wholesale component.
Property Tax: St. Louis County
Missouri's personal property tax applies to vehicles, boats, and business equipment. St. Louis County rates for 2026 include school district levies that vary by municipality.
Related Hubs
- Federal Income Tax Hub — Federal rates that interact with state taxes
- Capital Gains Tax Hub — State capital gains taxes on investment income
- Real Estate Investing Hub — Property tax impact on rental returns
- Retirement Planning Hub — State taxation of Social Security, pensions, and IRA withdrawals
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