North Carolina vs Virginia Taxes: Take-Home Pay Compared (2026)
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $560 more a year in North Carolina than in Virginia ($47 a month).
North Carolina
3.99% flat state income tax
$58,600
take-home on $75,000 · $4,883/month
34th of 51 states for take-home pay
North Carolina 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 North Carolina and Virginia by salary
| Salary | North Carolina | Virginia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $32,724 | $32,781 | $57 more in Virginia |
| $50,000 | $40,360 | $40,241 | $119 more in North Carolina |
| $60,000 | $47,996 | $47,701 | $295 more in North Carolina |
| $75,000 | $58,600 | $58,040 | $560 more in North Carolina |
| $100,000 | $75,190 | $74,191 | $999 more in North Carolina |
| $125,000 | $91,716 | $90,276 | $1,439 more in North Carolina |
| $150,000 | $107,806 | $105,927 | $1,879 more in North Carolina |
| $200,000 | $140,947 | $138,188 | $2,759 more in North Carolina |
Single filer, standard deduction, no local tax. To match $75,000 in North Carolina you would need about $75,850 in Virginia; to match $75,000 in Virginia you would need about $74,150 in North Carolina.
How North Carolina and Virginia tax wages
| 2026 | North Carolina | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax | a flat 3.99% income tax | 4 brackets from 2% to 5.75% |
| Top rate | 3.99% | 5.75% |
| Standard deduction | $12,750 single | $8,750 single |
| State tax on $75k | $2,993 (4.0%) | $3,552 (4.7%) |
| Local wage taxes | No | No |
| Reciprocity | None | District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia |
| 2026 change | North Carolina finished its phasedown, cutting the flat rate from 4.25% to 3.99% for 2026. | No rate change |
North Carolina vs Virginia: FAQ
Does North Carolina or Virginia have lower income taxes in 2026?
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $560 more a year in North Carolina than in Virginia ($47 a month). North Carolina has a flat 3.99% income tax for 2026. 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 North Carolina?
To take home the same $58,600 that $75,000 leaves in North Carolina, you would need about $75,850 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 North Carolina than in Virginia?
At $150,000 the gap is $1,879 a year: $107,806 in North Carolina versus $105,927 in Virginia. Progressive brackets make the difference grow faster as income rises.
What if I live in North Carolina and work in Virginia?
North Carolina and Virginia do not have a reciprocity agreement, so Virginia withholds tax on wages earned there and North Carolina generally gives residents a credit for tax paid to the other state. You effectively pay the higher of the two rates.