California vs. New York
On a $75,000 salary, you keep about $59 more a year in California. Prices are 3% higher in California, so after adjusting for cost of living New York comes out ahead.
Last verified November 2, 2026.
| California | New York | |
|---|---|---|
| State income tax | Has a graduated income tax with 9 brackets, from 1% up to 12.3% on taxable income over $742,953 for single filers. | Has a graduated income tax with 9 brackets, from 3.9% up to 10.9% on taxable income over $25,000,000 for single filers. |
| Minimum wage | $16.90 | $16.00 |
| Price level (U.S. = 100) | 110.7 | 107.9 |
| Employer cost on a $50,000 hire | $5,147 | $5,579 |
| SUTA wage base | $7,000 | $17,600 |
Take-home pay at the same salary
| Salary | California take-home | New York take-home | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $40,665 | $40,005 | $661 more in California |
| $75,000 | $57,843 | $57,784 | $59 more in California |
| $100,000 | $72,825 | $73,877 | $1,052 more in New York |
| $150,000 | $102,136 | $105,538 | $3,402 more in New York |
Single filer, standard deduction, tax year 2026. Excludes local income taxes.
Adjusted for cost of living
Using BEA regional price parities, $57,843 in California buys what $52,243 buys in an average-priced state, and $57,784 in New York buys what $53,543 does. To keep the same buying power moving from California to New York, a $75,000 salary would need to be about $73,104 before the tax difference.
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Frequently asked questions
- Is California or New York better for take-home pay?
- On $75,000, you keep about $59 more a year in California. Adjusted for prices, New York comes out ahead by $1,301.
- Which state is cheaper for employers, California or New York?
- Employer taxes and insurance on a $50,000 hire are about $5,147 in California and $5,579 in New York.