State Guide10 min read

States With No Income Tax in 2026 — Is Moving Worth It?

9 states have no state income tax in 2026. We break down Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming — plus the real trade-offs.

Published January 20, 2026

The 9 States With No Income Tax

In 2026, these nine states collect no income tax on wages or salaries:

  • Alaska — Funded by oil revenue and a sovereign wealth fund
  • Florida — Sales taxes and retiree population fund government operations
  • Nevada — Gaming and tourism revenue offset income tax
  • New Hampshire — No income tax on wages; interest/dividend tax fully repealed
  • South Dakota — Lean government, high sales tax
  • Tennessee — Sales tax-heavy; wages tax eliminated years ago
  • Texas — Large population + no income tax = high economic attraction
  • Washington — No income tax but has a 7% capital gains tax on gains over $262,000
  • Wyoming — Oil/mineral revenue covers government costs

How Much Do You Actually Save?

The savings depend heavily on your income and which state you're comparing to:

From StateTo State$75k Savings$150k Savings
CaliforniaTexas~$4,200/yr~$9,800/yr
New YorkFlorida~$4,800/yr~$11,200/yr
OregonWashington~$6,100/yr~$13,500/yr
MinnesotaSouth Dakota~$4,400/yr~$10,100/yr
Estimates for single filers. Actual savings vary based on filing status and deductions.

The Trade-Offs You Need to Know

Property Taxes

Texas has an average effective property tax rate of 1.6–2.0%, nearly double the national average. A $400,000 home in Texas costs $6,400–$8,000/year in property taxes — a significant offset to income tax savings.

Sales Tax

Nevada, Tennessee, and Texas all have sales tax rates of 6.25–8.25%+. Shopping and dining costs more after tax in these states.

Washington's Capital Gains Tax

Washington added a 7% capital gains tax in 2022 on gains over $262,000 (indexed for inflation). High earners who sell investments pay this on top of no income tax.

Public Services & Quality of Life

States without income tax often have leaner public systems. School quality, infrastructure, and social services vary significantly. Factor these into any relocation decision.

Who Benefits Most from Moving?

The calculus favors moving to a no-tax state if:

  • You earn over $100,000 and rent (avoiding the property tax hit)
  • You work remotely and have flexibility on location
  • You're in a high-tax state like California, Oregon, or New York
  • You don't have kids or value the public school systems of your current state
It's less clear-cut if you:
  • Own or plan to buy expensive property in a no-tax state
  • Rely on public services that high-tax states fund well
  • Have low income (the savings are minimal)

Calculate Your Actual Savings

Use our state comparison tool to run a side-by-side calculation on your exact salary between your current state and any no-tax state. The results might surprise you — or validate what you already suspected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which states have no income tax in 2026?

Nine states have no state income tax on wages: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.

How much do you save by living in a no-tax state?

On a $100,000 salary, moving from California (effective ~6% state rate) to Texas saves approximately $6,000/year in state taxes. The savings scale with income — $200,000 earners save even more.

What are the downsides of no-tax states?

No-tax states often compensate with higher property taxes, higher sales taxes, or reduced public services. Texas has some of the highest property taxes in the nation. Washington has a capital gains tax on high earners.

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