Where a $100,000 salary goes furthest in 2026
All 50 states and DC, ranked by what a $100,000 salary buys after 2026 federal and state taxes and local prices. Published November 15, 2026.
Key findings
- South Dakota is first. A $100,000 salary leaves $79,180 after taxes and buys what $89,368 buys in the average state.
- California is last. The same salary leaves $72,843 and buys what $65,802 buys in the average state.
- The gap is $23,566 a year in buying power between the first and the last state, on the same salary.
- No income tax is not enough. 7 states tie for the highest take-home pay, $79,180. Once prices are counted, Florida falls to 30th and New Hampshire to 34th. Washington, which also has no income tax, ranks 42nd.
- Low prices beat low taxes. North Dakota (2nd), Arkansas (3rd) and Mississippi (4th) tax wages and still land near the top.
- Biggest climb: Kansas, from 38th on take-home pay to 16th on buying power. Biggest drop: New Hampshire, from 1st to 34th.
The ranking: what $100,000 buys in each state
| # | State | Take-home | Prices (US = 100) | Buys like |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota | $79,180 | 88.6 | $89,368 |
| 2 | North Dakota | $78,511 | 89.0 | $88,214 |
| 3 | Arkansas | $75,968 | 86.9 | $87,420 |
| 4 | Mississippi | $75,912 | 87.0 | $87,255 |
| 5 | Louisiana* | $76,566 | 88.2 | $86,810 |
| 6 | Iowa | $76,032 | 87.8 | $86,597 |
| 7 | Tennessee | $79,180 | 91.9 | $86,159 |
| 8 | Oklahoma | $75,226 | 87.8 | $85,678 |
| 9 | Wyoming | $79,180 | 92.7 | $85,415 |
| 10 | Alabama | $75,079 | 88.8 | $84,548 |
| 11 | West Virginia | $75,489 | 89.5 | $84,345 |
| 12 | Kentucky | $75,798 | 90.2 | $84,033 |
| 13 | Nebraska | $75,510 | 90.1 | $83,806 |
| 14 | Missouri | $75,510 | 90.8 | $83,161 |
| 15 | Ohio | $76,867 | 92.8 | $82,830 |
| 16 | Kansas* | $74,400 | 90.1 | $82,575 |
| 17 | New Mexico | $75,611 | 92.2 | $82,007 |
| 18 | Indiana | $76,260 | 93.3 | $81,736 |
| 19 | Texas | $79,180 | 97.1 | $81,545 |
| 20 | North Carolina | $75,699 | 94.3 | $80,274 |
| 21 | South Carolina | $74,936 | 93.7 | $79,974 |
| 22 | Wisconsin | $74,752 | 94.1 | $79,439 |
| 23 | Nevada | $79,180 | 100.0 | $79,180 |
| 24 | Montana | $74,891 | 94.6 | $79,166 |
| 25 | Idaho* | $74,988 | 95.5 | $78,522 |
| 26 | Michigan | $75,181 | 96.2 | $78,150 |
| 27 | Pennsylvania | $76,040 | 97.6 | $77,910 |
| 28 | Georgia | $74,939 | 96.3 | $77,818 |
| 29 | Alaska | $78,909 | 102.4 | $77,060 |
| 30 | Florida | $79,180 | 103.4 | $76,576 |
| 31 | Vermont* | $75,040 | 98.0 | $76,572 |
| 32 | Arizona* | $77,074 | 100.7 | $76,538 |
| 33 | Maine | $74,051 | 97.0 | $76,341 |
| 34 | New Hampshire | $79,180 | 104.2 | $75,988 |
| 35 | Utah* | $74,730 | 98.9 | $75,561 |
| 36 | Minnesota | $73,903 | 98.6 | $74,953 |
| 37 | Illinois | $74,375 | 100.0 | $74,375 |
| 38 | Delaware | $73,921 | 99.8 | $74,069 |
| 39 | Virginia | $74,244 | 101.1 | $73,436 |
| 40 | Rhode Island | $74,932 | 102.3 | $73,247 |
| 41 | Colorado | $75,048 | 103.1 | $72,792 |
| 42 | Washington | $77,793 | 107.0 | $72,704 |
| 43 | Maryland | $74,794 | 105.0 | $71,232 |
| 44 | Connecticut | $73,705 | 103.6 | $71,144 |
| 45 | Massachusetts | $74,040 | 105.8 | $69,981 |
| 46 | Oregon | $71,328 | 103.4 | $68,983 |
| 47 | New York | $73,908 | 107.9 | $68,497 |
| 48 | New Jersey | $74,390 | 108.8 | $68,373 |
| 49 | District of Columbia | $73,649 | 109.9 | $67,014 |
| 50 | Hawaii* | $73,384 | 110.0 | $66,712 |
| 51 | California* | $72,843 | 110.7 | $65,802 |
Single filer, standard deduction, tax year 2026, before city or county income tax. “Buys like” is take-home pay divided by the state's price index. *State had not published every 2026 figure when this was reviewed; the latest official figures are used.
The 10 states where $100,000 goes furthest
- South Dakota: $89,368
- North Dakota: $88,214
- Arkansas: $87,420
- Mississippi: $87,255
- Louisiana: $86,810
- Iowa: $86,597
- Tennessee: $86,159
- Oklahoma: $85,678
- Wyoming: $85,415
- Alabama: $84,548
The 10 states where $100,000 goes the least far
- California: $65,802
- Hawaii: $66,712
- District of Columbia: $67,014
- New Jersey: $68,373
- New York: $68,497
- Oregon: $68,983
- Massachusetts: $69,981
- Connecticut: $71,144
- Maryland: $71,232
- Washington: $72,704
State by state
Alabama: 10th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $75,079 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $4,102. Prices run 11.2% below the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $84,548 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Alabama ranks 27th. Alabama paycheck calculator
Alaska: 29th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $78,909 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $271. Prices run 2.4% above the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $77,060 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Alaska ranks 8th. Alaska paycheck calculator
Arizona: 32nd of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $77,074 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $2,106. Prices run 0.7% above the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $76,538 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Arizona ranks 11th. Arizona paycheck calculator
Arkansas: 3rd of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $75,968 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $3,212. Prices run 13.1% below the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $87,420 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Arkansas ranks 17th. Arkansas paycheck calculator
California: 51st of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $72,843 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $6,337. Prices run 10.7% above the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $65,802 buys in the average state. On take-home alone California ranks 50th. California paycheck calculator
Colorado: 41st of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $75,048 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $4,132. Prices run 3.1% above the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $72,792 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Colorado ranks 28th. Colorado paycheck calculator
Connecticut: 44th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $73,705 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $5,475. Prices run 3.6% above the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $71,144 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Connecticut ranks 47th. Connecticut paycheck calculator
Delaware: 38th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $73,921 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $5,259. Prices run 0.2% below the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $74,069 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Delaware ranks 44th. Delaware paycheck calculator
District of Columbia: 49th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $73,649 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $5,532. Prices run 9.9% above the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $67,014 buys in the average state. On take-home alone District of Columbia ranks 48th. District of Columbia paycheck calculator
Florida: 30th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $79,180 after federal and state taxes; the state takes no tax on wages. Prices run 3.4% above the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $76,576 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Florida ranks 1st. Florida paycheck calculator
Georgia: 28th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $74,939 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $4,242. Prices run 3.7% below the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $77,818 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Georgia ranks 31st. Georgia paycheck calculator
Hawaii: 50th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $73,384 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $5,796. Prices run 10% above the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $66,712 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Hawaii ranks 49th. Hawaii paycheck calculator
Idaho: 25th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $74,988 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $4,192. Prices run 4.5% below the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $78,522 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Idaho ranks 30th. Idaho paycheck calculator
Illinois: 37th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $74,375 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $4,805. Prices match the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $74,375 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Illinois ranks 40th. Illinois paycheck calculator
Indiana: 18th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $76,260 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $2,921. Prices run 6.7% below the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $81,736 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Indiana ranks 14th. Indiana paycheck calculator
Iowa: 6th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $76,032 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $3,148. Prices run 12.2% below the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $86,597 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Iowa ranks 16th. Iowa paycheck calculator
Kansas: 16th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $74,400 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $4,780. Prices run 9.9% below the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $82,575 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Kansas ranks 38th. Kansas paycheck calculator
Kentucky: 12th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $75,798 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $3,382. Prices run 9.8% below the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $84,033 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Kentucky ranks 19th. Kentucky paycheck calculator
Louisiana: 5th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $76,566 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $2,614. Prices run 11.8% below the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $86,810 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Louisiana ranks 13th. Louisiana paycheck calculator
Maine: 33rd of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $74,051 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $5,129. Prices run 3% below the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $76,341 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Maine ranks 42nd. Maine paycheck calculator
Maryland: 43rd of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $74,794 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $4,386. Prices run 5% above the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $71,232 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Maryland ranks 35th. Maryland paycheck calculator
Massachusetts: 45th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $74,040 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $5,140. Prices run 5.8% above the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $69,981 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Massachusetts ranks 43rd. Massachusetts paycheck calculator
Michigan: 26th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $75,181 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $3,999. Prices run 3.8% below the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $78,150 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Michigan ranks 26th. Michigan paycheck calculator
Minnesota: 36th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $73,903 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $5,277. Prices run 1.4% below the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $74,953 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Minnesota ranks 46th. Minnesota paycheck calculator
Mississippi: 4th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $75,912 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $3,268. Prices run 13% below the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $87,255 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Mississippi ranks 18th. Mississippi paycheck calculator
Missouri: 14th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $75,510 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $3,670. Prices run 9.2% below the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $83,161 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Missouri ranks 22nd. Missouri paycheck calculator
Montana: 24th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $74,891 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $4,289. Prices run 5.4% below the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $79,166 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Montana ranks 34th. Montana paycheck calculator
Nebraska: 13th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $75,510 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $3,670. Prices run 9.9% below the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $83,806 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Nebraska ranks 22nd. Nebraska paycheck calculator
Nevada: 23rd of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $79,180 after federal and state taxes; the state takes no tax on wages. Prices match the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $79,180 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Nevada ranks 1st. Nevada paycheck calculator
New Hampshire: 34th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $79,180 after federal and state taxes; the state takes no tax on wages. Prices run 4.2% above the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $75,988 buys in the average state. On take-home alone New Hampshire ranks 1st. New Hampshire paycheck calculator
New Jersey: 48th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $74,390 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $4,790. Prices run 8.8% above the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $68,373 buys in the average state. On take-home alone New Jersey ranks 39th. New Jersey paycheck calculator
New Mexico: 17th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $75,611 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $3,569. Prices run 7.8% below the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $82,007 buys in the average state. On take-home alone New Mexico ranks 21st. New Mexico paycheck calculator
New York: 47th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $73,908 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $5,272. Prices run 7.9% above the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $68,497 buys in the average state. On take-home alone New York ranks 45th. New York paycheck calculator
North Carolina: 20th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $75,699 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $3,481. Prices run 5.7% below the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $80,274 buys in the average state. On take-home alone North Carolina ranks 20th. North Carolina paycheck calculator
North Dakota: 2nd of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $78,511 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $669. Prices run 11% below the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $88,214 buys in the average state. On take-home alone North Dakota ranks 9th. North Dakota paycheck calculator
Ohio: 15th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $76,867 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $2,313. Prices run 7.2% below the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $82,830 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Ohio ranks 12th. Ohio paycheck calculator
Oklahoma: 8th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $75,226 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $3,955. Prices run 12.2% below the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $85,678 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Oklahoma ranks 25th. Oklahoma paycheck calculator
Oregon: 46th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $71,328 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $7,852. Prices run 3.4% above the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $68,983 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Oregon ranks 51st. Oregon paycheck calculator
Pennsylvania: 27th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $76,040 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $3,140. Prices run 2.4% below the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $77,910 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Pennsylvania ranks 15th. Pennsylvania paycheck calculator
Rhode Island: 40th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $74,932 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $4,248. Prices run 2.3% above the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $73,247 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Rhode Island ranks 33rd. Rhode Island paycheck calculator
South Carolina: 21st of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $74,936 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $4,244. Prices run 6.3% below the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $79,974 buys in the average state. On take-home alone South Carolina ranks 32nd. South Carolina paycheck calculator
South Dakota: 1st of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $79,180 after federal and state taxes; the state takes no tax on wages. Prices run 11.4% below the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $89,368 buys in the average state. On take-home alone South Dakota ranks 1st. South Dakota paycheck calculator
Tennessee: 7th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $79,180 after federal and state taxes; the state takes no tax on wages. Prices run 8.1% below the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $86,159 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Tennessee ranks 1st. Tennessee paycheck calculator
Texas: 19th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $79,180 after federal and state taxes; the state takes no tax on wages. Prices run 2.9% below the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $81,545 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Texas ranks 1st. Texas paycheck calculator
Utah: 35th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $74,730 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $4,450. Prices run 1.1% below the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $75,561 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Utah ranks 37th. Utah paycheck calculator
Vermont: 31st of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $75,040 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $4,140. Prices run 2% below the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $76,572 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Vermont ranks 29th. Vermont paycheck calculator
Virginia: 39th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $74,244 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $4,936. Prices run 1.1% above the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $73,436 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Virginia ranks 41st. Virginia paycheck calculator
Washington: 42nd of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $77,793 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $1,387. Prices run 7% above the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $72,704 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Washington ranks 10th. Washington paycheck calculator
West Virginia: 11th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $75,489 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $3,691. Prices run 10.5% below the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $84,345 buys in the average state. On take-home alone West Virginia ranks 24th. West Virginia paycheck calculator
Wisconsin: 22nd of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $74,752 after federal and state taxes, of which the state takes $4,428. Prices run 5.9% below the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $79,439 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Wisconsin ranks 36th. Wisconsin paycheck calculator
Wyoming: 9th of 51. A $100,000 salary leaves $79,180 after federal and state taxes; the state takes no tax on wages. Prices run 7.3% below the U.S. average, so that pay buys what $85,415 buys in the average state. On take-home alone Wyoming ranks 1st. Wyoming paycheck calculator
How we calculated it
- Take-home pay. A $100,000 salary for a single filer with the standard deduction, after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, state income tax and the state payroll contributions an employee pays, using 2026 figures from the IRS, the Social Security Administration and each state's tax agency. The full method is on the methodology page.
- Prices. The Regional Price Parity for all items in each state, from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, for 2024, the latest year published (released February 19, 2026). The national average is 100.
- Buying power. Take-home pay divided by the price index. If a state's index is 90, each dollar buys what $1.11 buys in the average state.
What this does not show
- City and county income taxes are left out. They matter in places such as New York City and parts of Maryland, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
- Prices are statewide averages. A big metro area costs more than the rest of its state.
- Prices are for 2024 and taxes for 2026, because the price data is published with a delay.
- Married filers, dependents, and pre-tax deductions such as a 401(k) change the result.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis: Regional Price Parities by State
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32
- Social Security Administration
- State tax agencies: each state page lists its own sources.
Use this data
You may quote and republish these figures and the table with a link to this page as the source: Money by State, https://moneybystate.com/studies/100k-salary-by-state/. Questions or a figure for a different salary: [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
Where does a $100,000 salary go furthest in 2026?
South Dakota. After federal and state taxes a single filer keeps $79,180, and with prices 11.4% below the U.S. average that buys what $89,368 buys in the average state. North Dakota and Arkansas follow.
Where does a $100,000 salary go the least far?
California. Take-home pay is $72,843 and prices are 10.7% above the U.S. average, so the salary buys what $65,802 buys in the average state. That is $23,566 less than in South Dakota.
Do states with no income tax always come out ahead?
No. New Hampshire has no tax on wages and ties for the highest take-home pay, but ranks 34th once prices are counted, and Florida ranks 30th. North Dakota, Arkansas and Mississippi all tax wages and still rank in the top 4, because prices there are low.
How is the real value calculated?
Take-home pay for a single filer in tax year 2026, divided by the state's Regional Price Parity from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (2024, the latest year published). A price index of 90 means goods, services and rents cost 10% less than the national average.