Thinking about moving? Compare what the same household would pay in state income tax, sales tax and property tax in two U.S. states. Enter your income, filing status, taxable spending and home value to see each state’s total and the yearly difference.
Last updated:
States
Household
$
$
Excludes housing, most groceries and services.
$
Your local rates (optional overrides)
%
Blank = state average
%
Blank = state average
%
Blank = state average
%
Blank = state average
Enter your values to see the result.
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How to use the State Tax Comparison Calculator
Pick the state you live in now and the state you’re considering.
Enter your household income, filing status and dependents.
Enter your yearly spending on taxable goods (roughly what you buy that isn’t rent, mortgage, most groceries or services).
Tick “I own my home” and enter its value, or leave it unticked if you rent.
Press Calculate; refine with your actual local rates if you know them.
How the comparison works
Total = state income tax + taxable spending × sales tax rate + home value × property tax rate
State income tax is calculated with each state’s 2025 brackets, standard deduction and personal or dependent exemptions applied to your federal AGI (the same engine as our State Income Tax Calculator). Sales tax uses the state’s average combined state and local rate, and property tax uses its average effective rate on owner-occupied homes. Because the same income, spending and home value are used for both states, the result isolates the tax difference.
States with no income tax: how they compare on other taxes
State
Income tax on wages
Avg. combined sales tax
Avg. effective property tax
Alaska
None
1.82% (no state sales tax)
1.04%
Florida
None
7.00%
0.79%
Nevada
None
8.24%
0.50%
New Hampshire
None
0% (no general sales tax)
1.61%
South Dakota
None
6.11%
1.10%
Tennessee
None
9.56%
0.56%
Texas
None
8.20%
1.58%
Washington
None (capital gains only)
9.38%
0.84%
Wyoming
None
5.44%
0.55%
Rates are approximate statewide averages (sales tax as of early 2025; property tax from Census survey data on median taxes and home values). Local rates vary widely; use the override fields for your city or county.
Tips before you move for lower taxes
Look at your biggest tax. High earners usually feel income tax most; homeowners on modest incomes often pay more in property tax than income tax.
Check how retirement income is taxed. Many states exempt Social Security and some exempt pensions or military retired pay.
Remember your residency. To stop owing tax to your old state you generally must change your domicile (home, driver’s license, voter registration) and spend most of the year away.
Include other costs. Housing prices, insurance, car registration and utilities often matter more than taxes; pair this with a cost-of-living comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Which states have no income tax?
Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming do not tax wages. New Hampshire’s tax on interest and dividends ended in 2025, and Washington taxes only large long-term capital gains. These states often make up some of the revenue with higher sales or property taxes.
Is a no-income-tax state always cheaper?
No. Texas, for example, has no income tax but one of the higher average property tax rates (about 1.6% of home value) and an average combined sales tax over 8%. For a homeowner with a moderate income, the total can be close to or higher than a state with a low flat income tax. That is why this calculator adds all three taxes.
How is the sales tax estimate calculated?
It multiplies the spending you enter by the state’s average combined state and local sales tax rate. Enter only spending on taxable goods: many states exempt groceries, prescription drugs and most services, and rent and mortgage payments are not subject to sales tax. If you know the rate in your city, enter it in the override field.
How accurate is the property tax figure?
It uses the statewide average effective rate, which is the median property tax paid divided by the median home value. Actual bills depend on the county and city, the assessed value, and homestead or senior exemptions, and can be much higher or lower than the state average. Use the override field with your county’s rate for a closer estimate.
Does this include local income taxes?
No. Cities and counties in states such as New York (New York City), Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Kentucky levy local income taxes that can add 1% to nearly 4%. The calculator lists where they apply in the notes so you can add them.
Can I deduct state taxes on my federal return?
If you itemize, you can deduct state and local income (or sales) taxes plus property taxes up to the SALT cap, which is $40,000 for 2025 and rises 1% a year through 2029, phasing down for incomes above $500,000. This can soften the difference between high- and low-tax states for itemizers.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.