California vs Missouri Taxes: Take-Home Pay Compared (2026)
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $241 more a year in Missouri than in California ($20 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 ›Missouri
2% - 4.7% state income tax
$59,058
take-home on $75,000 · $4,922/month
20th of 51 states for take-home pay
Missouri paycheck calculator ›Take-home pay in California and Missouri by salary
| Salary | California | Missouri | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $33,737 | $33,408 | $329 more in California |
| $50,000 | $41,315 | $40,987 | $328 more in California |
| $60,000 | $48,750 | $48,543 | $207 more in California |
| $75,000 | $58,817 | $59,058 | $241 more in Missouri |
| $100,000 | $74,125 | $75,510 | $1,385 more in Missouri |
| $125,000 | $89,323 | $91,809 | $2,486 more in Missouri |
| $150,000 | $104,086 | $107,678 | $3,592 more in Missouri |
| $200,000 | $134,572 | $140,464 | $5,892 more in Missouri |
Single filer, standard deduction, no local tax. To match $75,000 in California you would need about $74,650 in Missouri; to match $75,000 in Missouri you would need about $75,400 in California.
How California and Missouri tax wages
| 2026 | California | Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax | 10 brackets from 1% to 13.3% | 7 brackets from 2% to 4.7% |
| Top rate | 13.3% | 4.7% |
| Standard deduction | $5,706 single | $16,100 single |
| State tax on $75k | $2,775 (3.7%) | $2,534 (3.4%) |
| Local wage taxes | No | Yes (2 modeled) |
| Reciprocity | None | None |
California vs Missouri: FAQ
Does California or Missouri have lower income taxes in 2026?
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $241 more a year in Missouri than in California ($20 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. Missouri has 7 brackets from 2% to 4.7% for 2026. For single filers the top 4.7% rate starts at $9,436 of taxable income.
What salary in Missouri equals $75,000 in California?
To take home the same $58,817 that $75,000 leaves in California, you would need about $74,650 in Missouri, based on income, payroll, and state taxes only. Housing and other living costs are not included.
How much more do high earners keep in Missouri than in California?
At $150,000 the gap is $3,592 a year: $104,086 in California versus $107,678 in Missouri. Progressive brackets make the difference grow faster as income rises.
What if I live in California and work in Missouri?
California and Missouri do not have a reciprocity agreement, so Missouri 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 Missouri comparison?
Missouri has local wage taxes in places like Kansas City (1%), St. Louis (1%). Those are on top of the statewide figures above, so check the city calculators if you live or work in one of them.