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How to compare two job offers on take-home pay in 2026
When two offers land — especially in two different states — the higher salary doesn't always win. State income tax can swing your net pay by thousands of dollars a year, so the only fair comparison is after-tax take-home pay. This calculator runs both jobs through the 2026 federal brackets, FICA and each state's income tax so you compare what actually reaches your account.
The same gross, very different net
Two $95,000 offers can produce noticeably different take-home if one is in a no-income-tax state and the other isn't. The federal tax and FICA are identical nationwide; state tax is what separates them. That's why a job in Texas or Florida can beat a higher-paying one in California or New York.
How the comparison is calculated
For each job, the calculator subtracts federal income tax (after the 2026 standard deduction), 6.2% Social Security up to the $184,500 wage base, 1.45% Medicare, and a 2026 estimate of the chosen state's income tax. The job with the higher resulting net pay wins — and the tool shows the annual and monthly gap between them.
Try common offer match-ups
Compare a high-pay, high-tax California role against no-tax Texas, or weigh New York versus Florida. To reverse the question and find the salary you need in each place, use our salary-needed-for-cost-of-living calculator.
Questions
Take-home pay comparison FAQ
How do I compare two job offers in different states?
Compare take-home pay, not gross salary. A higher salary in a high-tax state can net less than a lower salary in a no-income-tax state. Enter each job's gross salary and state above and this calculator applies the 2026 federal brackets, FICA and each state's income tax to show the net pay for both — and which offer actually puts more money in your pocket.
Why can a lower salary win on take-home?
Because state income tax varies enormously. A $95,000 offer in California (state tax up to 13.3% plus SDI) can leave you with less than a $90,000 offer in Texas or Florida, which have no state income tax at all. The headline salary is only half the story — after-tax pay is what you live on.
Should I only compare salary when weighing job offers?
No. After-tax pay is the most important number, but also weigh cost of living (rent and prices differ by city), benefits, 401(k) match, health insurance, paid time off and career growth. This tool nails the tax comparison; combine it with a local cost-of-living check before deciding.
Does this calculator include state income tax?
Yes. Each side has its own state selector, so you can compare two jobs in different states — including no-income-tax states like Texas and Florida and high-tax states like California and New York. It applies a 2026 estimate of each state's income tax on top of federal tax and FICA.
- Sources: IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 (2026 brackets & standard deduction) · SSA 2026 OASDI wage base ($184,500) · State departments of revenue.
- 🔄 Last updated June 9, 2026 · Tax year 2026
← Back to the full salary calculator · Related: Salary needed for cost of living · Salary vs hourly · Gross to net