California vs Iowa Taxes: Take-Home Pay Compared (2026)
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $537 more a year in Iowa than in California ($45 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 ›Iowa
3.8% flat state income tax
$59,354
take-home on $75,000 · $4,946/month
15th of 51 states for take-home pay
Iowa paycheck calculator ›Take-home pay in California and Iowa by salary
| Salary | California | Iowa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $33,737 | $33,412 | $325 more in California |
| $50,000 | $41,315 | $41,067 | $248 more in California |
| $60,000 | $48,750 | $48,722 | $28 more in California |
| $75,000 | $58,817 | $59,354 | $537 more in Iowa |
| $100,000 | $74,125 | $75,992 | $1,867 more in Iowa |
| $125,000 | $89,323 | $92,566 | $3,242 more in Iowa |
| $150,000 | $104,086 | $108,703 | $4,617 more in Iowa |
| $200,000 | $134,572 | $141,939 | $7,367 more in Iowa |
Single filer, standard deduction, no local tax. To match $75,000 in California you would need about $74,200 in Iowa; to match $75,000 in Iowa you would need about $75,850 in California.
How California and Iowa tax wages
| 2026 | California | Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax | 10 brackets from 1% to 13.3% | a flat 3.8% income tax |
| Top rate | 13.3% | 3.8% |
| Standard deduction | $5,706 single | $16,100 single |
| State tax on $75k | $2,775 (3.7%) | $2,238 (3.0%) |
| Local wage taxes | No | Yes (3 modeled) |
| Reciprocity | None | Illinois |
California vs Iowa: FAQ
Does California or Iowa have lower income taxes in 2026?
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $537 more a year in Iowa than in California ($45 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. Iowa has a flat 3.8% income tax for 2026.
What salary in Iowa equals $75,000 in California?
To take home the same $58,817 that $75,000 leaves in California, you would need about $74,200 in Iowa, based on income, payroll, and state taxes only. Housing and other living costs are not included.
How much more do high earners keep in Iowa than in California?
At $150,000 the gap is $4,617 a year: $104,086 in California versus $108,703 in Iowa. Progressive brackets make the difference grow faster as income rises.
What if I live in California and work in Iowa?
California and Iowa do not have a reciprocity agreement, so Iowa 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.
Do local taxes change the California vs Iowa comparison?
Iowa has local wage taxes in places like Des Moines (School district surtax), Cedar Rapids (School district surtax), Davenport (School district surtax). Those are on top of the statewide figures above, so check the city calculators if you live or work in one of them.