California vs West Virginia Taxes: Take-Home Pay Compared (2026)
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $2 more a year in California than in West Virginia ($0 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 ›West Virginia
2.22% - 4.82% state income tax
$58,815
take-home on $75,000 · $4,901/month
27th of 51 states for take-home pay
West Virginia paycheck calculator ›Take-home pay in California and West Virginia by salary
| Salary | California | West Virginia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $33,737 | $33,154 | $583 more in California |
| $50,000 | $41,315 | $40,745 | $570 more in California |
| $60,000 | $48,750 | $48,336 | $414 more in California |
| $75,000 | $58,817 | $58,815 | $2 more in California |
| $100,000 | $74,125 | $75,198 | $1,073 more in West Virginia |
| $125,000 | $89,323 | $91,516 | $2,193 more in West Virginia |
| $150,000 | $104,086 | $107,399 | $3,313 more in West Virginia |
| $200,000 | $134,572 | $140,125 | $5,553 more in West Virginia |
Single filer, standard deduction, no local tax. To match $75,000 in California you would need about $75,000 in West Virginia; to match $75,000 in West Virginia you would need about $75,000 in California.
How California and West Virginia tax wages
| 2026 | California | West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax | 10 brackets from 1% to 13.3% | 5 brackets from 2.22% to 4.82% |
| Top rate | 13.3% | 4.82% |
| Standard deduction | $5,706 single | None (exemptions or credits only) |
| State tax on $75k | $2,775 (3.7%) | $2,777 (3.7%) |
| Local wage taxes | No | No |
| Reciprocity | None | Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia |
California vs West Virginia: FAQ
Does California or West Virginia have lower income taxes in 2026?
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $2 more a year in California than in West Virginia ($0 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. West Virginia has 5 brackets from 2.22% to 4.82% for 2026. For single filers the top 4.82% rate starts at $60,000 of taxable income.
What salary in West Virginia equals $75,000 in California?
To take home the same $58,817 that $75,000 leaves in California, you would need about $75,000 in West 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 West Virginia than in California?
At $150,000 the gap is $3,313 a year: $104,086 in California versus $107,399 in West Virginia. Progressive brackets make the difference grow faster as income rises.
What if I live in California and work in West Virginia?
California and West Virginia do not have a reciprocity agreement, so West 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.