Is that salary really more?
438 US states and metro areas. 2026 federal and state income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and local prices from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Where every dollar goes
A year of pay in each place, side by side.
Goes furthest
Goes least far
How it works
Your salary minus 2026 taxes gives take-home pay. Dividing by local prices shows what that take-home actually buys, so two places can be compared fairly.
- ✓Federal tax. 2026 brackets and standard deduction from the IRS.
- ✓Payroll tax. Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500 and Medicare 1.45%, plus 0.9% above $200,000 ($250,000 married).
- ✓State tax. 2026 brackets, standard deductions and exemptions for every state, from the Tax Foundation.
- ✓Prices. Regional Price Parities for 2024 from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, where 100 is the US average.
- ✓Not included. City income taxes (such as New York City's), 401(k) and other pre-tax savings, credits for children, and itemized deductions.
Most expensive metro
