California vs Virginia Taxes: Take-Home Pay Compared (2026)
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $777 more a year in California than in Virginia ($65 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 ›Virginia
2% - 5.75% state income tax
$58,040
take-home on $75,000 · $4,837/month
43rd of 51 states for take-home pay
Virginia paycheck calculator ›Take-home pay in California and Virginia by salary
| Salary | California | Virginia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $33,737 | $32,781 | $956 more in California |
| $50,000 | $41,315 | $40,241 | $1,074 more in California |
| $60,000 | $48,750 | $47,701 | $1,049 more in California |
| $75,000 | $58,817 | $58,040 | $777 more in California |
| $100,000 | $74,125 | $74,191 | $66 more in Virginia |
| $125,000 | $89,323 | $90,276 | $953 more in Virginia |
| $150,000 | $104,086 | $105,927 | $1,841 more in Virginia |
| $200,000 | $134,572 | $138,188 | $3,616 more in Virginia |
Single filer, standard deduction, no local tax. To match $75,000 in California you would need about $76,200 in Virginia; to match $75,000 in Virginia you would need about $73,750 in California.
How California and Virginia tax wages
| 2026 | California | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax | 10 brackets from 1% to 13.3% | 4 brackets from 2% to 5.75% |
| Top rate | 13.3% | 5.75% |
| Standard deduction | $5,706 single | $8,750 single |
| State tax on $75k | $2,775 (3.7%) | $3,552 (4.7%) |
| Local wage taxes | No | No |
| Reciprocity | None | District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia |
California vs Virginia: FAQ
Does California or Virginia have lower income taxes in 2026?
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $777 more a year in California than in Virginia ($65 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. Virginia has 4 brackets from 2% to 5.75% for 2026. For single filers the top 5.75% rate starts at $17,000 of taxable income.
What salary in Virginia equals $75,000 in California?
To take home the same $58,817 that $75,000 leaves in California, you would need about $76,200 in Virginia, based on income, payroll, and state taxes only. Housing and other living costs are not included.
How much more do high earners keep in Virginia than in California?
At $150,000 the gap is $1,841 a year: $104,086 in California versus $105,927 in Virginia. Progressive brackets make the difference grow faster as income rises.
What if I live in California and work in Virginia?
California and Virginia do not have a reciprocity agreement, so Virginia 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.