California vs Vermont Taxes: Take-Home Pay Compared (2026)
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $65 more a year in California than in Vermont ($5 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 ›Vermont
3.35% - 8.75% state income tax
$58,752
take-home on $75,000 · $4,896/month
28th of 51 states for take-home pay
Vermont paycheck calculator ›Take-home pay in California and Vermont by salary
| Salary | California | Vermont | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $33,737 | $33,236 | $501 more in California |
| $50,000 | $41,315 | $40,936 | $379 more in California |
| $60,000 | $48,750 | $48,540 | $210 more in California |
| $75,000 | $58,817 | $58,752 | $65 more in California |
| $100,000 | $74,125 | $74,690 | $565 more in Vermont |
| $125,000 | $89,323 | $90,564 | $1,240 more in Vermont |
| $150,000 | $104,086 | $105,775 | $1,689 more in Vermont |
| $200,000 | $134,572 | $137,111 | $2,539 more in Vermont |
Single filer, standard deduction, no local tax. To match $75,000 in California you would need about $75,100 in Vermont; to match $75,000 in Vermont you would need about $74,900 in California.
How California and Vermont tax wages
| 2026 | California | Vermont |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax | 10 brackets from 1% to 13.3% | 4 brackets from 3.35% to 8.75% |
| Top rate | 13.3% | 8.75% |
| Standard deduction | $5,706 single | $7,650 single |
| State tax on $75k | $2,775 (3.7%) | $2,840 (3.8%) |
| Local wage taxes | No | No |
| Reciprocity | None | None |
California vs Vermont: FAQ
Does California or Vermont have lower income taxes in 2026?
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $65 more a year in California than in Vermont ($5 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. Vermont has 4 brackets from 3.35% to 8.75% for 2026. For single filers the top 8.75% rate starts at $249,700 of taxable income.
What salary in Vermont equals $75,000 in California?
To take home the same $58,817 that $75,000 leaves in California, you would need about $75,100 in Vermont, based on income, payroll, and state taxes only. Housing and other living costs are not included.
How much more do high earners keep in Vermont than in California?
At $150,000 the gap is $1,689 a year: $104,086 in California versus $105,775 in Vermont. Progressive brackets make the difference grow faster as income rises.
What if I live in California and work in Vermont?
California and Vermont do not have a reciprocity agreement, so Vermont 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.