California vs Idaho Taxes: Take-Home Pay Compared (2026)
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $347 more a year in California than in Idaho ($29 a month).
California
1% - 13.3% state income tax
$58,817
take-home on $75,000 · $4,901/month
26th of 51 states for take-home pay
California paycheck calculator ›Idaho
5.3% flat state income tax
$58,470
take-home on $75,000 · $4,873/month
35th of 51 states for take-home pay
Idaho paycheck calculator ›Take-home pay in California and Idaho by salary
| Salary | California | Idaho | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $33,737 | $33,053 | $684 more in California |
| $50,000 | $41,315 | $40,558 | $757 more in California |
| $60,000 | $48,750 | $48,063 | $687 more in California |
| $75,000 | $58,817 | $58,470 | $347 more in California |
| $100,000 | $74,125 | $74,733 | $608 more in Idaho |
| $125,000 | $89,323 | $90,931 | $1,608 more in Idaho |
| $150,000 | $104,086 | $106,694 | $2,608 more in Idaho |
| $200,000 | $134,572 | $139,180 | $4,608 more in Idaho |
Single filer, standard deduction, no local tax. To match $75,000 in California you would need about $75,550 in Idaho; to match $75,000 in Idaho you would need about $74,450 in California.
How California and Idaho tax wages
| 2026 | California | Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax | 10 brackets from 1% to 13.3% | a flat 5.3% income tax |
| Top rate | 13.3% | 5.3% |
| Standard deduction | $5,706 single | Federal ($16,100 single) |
| State tax on $75k | $2,775 (3.7%) | $3,122 (4.2%) |
| Local wage taxes | No | No |
| Reciprocity | None | None |
| 2026 change | No rate change | Idaho cut its flat rate to 5.3%, retroactive to January 1, 2025. |
California vs Idaho: FAQ
Does California or Idaho have lower income taxes in 2026?
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $347 more a year in California than in Idaho ($29 a month). California has 10 brackets from 1% to 13.3% for 2026. For single filers the top 13.3% rate starts at $1,000,000 of taxable income. Idaho has a flat 5.3% income tax for 2026.
What salary in Idaho equals $75,000 in California?
To take home the same $58,817 that $75,000 leaves in California, you would need about $75,550 in Idaho, based on income, payroll, and state taxes only. Housing and other living costs are not included.
How much more do high earners keep in Idaho than in California?
At $150,000 the gap is $2,608 a year: $104,086 in California versus $106,694 in Idaho. Progressive brackets make the difference grow faster as income rises.
What if I live in California and work in Idaho?
California and Idaho do not have a reciprocity agreement, so Idaho withholds tax on wages earned there and California generally gives residents a credit for tax paid to the other state. You effectively pay the higher of the two rates.