Quick summary
California vs Texas: Much Lower Taxes in Texas
Texas has a 4.9-point lower total tax burden.
5 free metrics12 more with full access
Side-by-side comparison
Free metrics shown below. Locked rows unlock with a free trial.
BetterLess favorableRoughly equal
| Metric | California | Texas |
|---|---|---|
Total Tax Burden Combined state and local taxes as a share of a typical household's income. | 13.5% of income | 8.6% of income |
State Income Tax (top rate) The top marginal state income tax rate on wage income. | 13.3% | None |
Sales Tax (state + local avg) State sales tax plus typical local add-ons. | 8.85% | 8.20% |
Property Tax (effective rate) Median effective property tax rate on owner-occupied homes. | 0.71% | 1.68% |
Minimum Wage (state floor) The state-level minimum wage floor — some cities go higher. | $16.90/hr | $7.25/hr |
Retirement Income Treatment (SS, pension, 401k) Social Security, pension, and 401(k)/IRA taxation in each state | Unlock with free trial | |
Estate & Inheritance Tax Details Neither state imposes estate or inheritance tax | Unlock with free trial | |
Capital Gains Treatment State-level capital gains rules and preferential rates | Unlock with free trial | |
Gas Tax (cents per gallon) State excise tax per gallon, plus how each ranks nationally | Unlock with free trial | |
Vehicle Registration & Inspection Registration deadlines: 20 days vs 30 days — and 12 more factors | Unlock with free trial | |
Concealed Carry Reciprocity Whether each state honors the other's permit | Unlock with free trial | |
Professional License Transferability Nursing, teaching, engineering, and counseling compact membership | Unlock with free trial | |
Establishing Residency & Domicile Day-count tests and documentation required to switch residency | Unlock with free trial | |
City-Level Minimum Wages NYC, Seattle, SF and other cities that exceed the state floor | Unlock with free trial | |
Fishing License Costs & Stamps Resident, non-resident, and short-term license costs | Unlock with free trial | |
Trucking Weight, Fee, and Safety Rules GVW limits, IFTA rates, chain laws, and truck speed limits | Unlock with free trial | |
Cross-State Work Tax Rules Reciprocity agreements and Convenience of Employer rules | Unlock with free trial | |
Total Tax Burden
Combined state and local taxes as a share of a typical household's income.
California
13.5% of income
Texas
8.6% of income
State Income Tax (top rate)
The top marginal state income tax rate on wage income.
California
13.3%
Texas
None
Sales Tax (state + local avg)
State sales tax plus typical local add-ons.
California
8.85%
Texas
8.20%
Property Tax (effective rate)
Median effective property tax rate on owner-occupied homes.
California
0.71%
Texas
1.68%
Minimum Wage (state floor)
The state-level minimum wage floor — some cities go higher.
California
$16.90/hr
Texas
$7.25/hr
Retirement Income Treatment (SS, pension, 401k)
Social Security, pension, and 401(k)/IRA taxation in each state
Unlock with free trial →
Estate & Inheritance Tax Details
Neither state imposes estate or inheritance tax
Unlock with free trial →
Capital Gains Treatment
State-level capital gains rules and preferential rates
Unlock with free trial →
Gas Tax (cents per gallon)
State excise tax per gallon, plus how each ranks nationally
Unlock with free trial →
Vehicle Registration & Inspection
Registration deadlines: 20 days vs 30 days — and 12 more factors
Unlock with free trial →
Concealed Carry Reciprocity
Whether each state honors the other's permit
Unlock with free trial →
Professional License Transferability
Nursing, teaching, engineering, and counseling compact membership
Unlock with free trial →
Establishing Residency & Domicile
Day-count tests and documentation required to switch residency
Unlock with free trial →
City-Level Minimum Wages
NYC, Seattle, SF and other cities that exceed the state floor
Unlock with free trial →
Fishing License Costs & Stamps
Resident, non-resident, and short-term license costs
Unlock with free trial →
Trucking Weight, Fee, and Safety Rules
GVW limits, IFTA rates, chain laws, and truck speed limits
Unlock with free trial →
Cross-State Work Tax Rules
Reciprocity agreements and Convenience of Employer rules
Unlock with free trial →
Unlock the full comparison
See every factor for California vs Texas
Retirement income rules, estate & inheritance tax details, vehicle registration deadlines, concealed carry reciprocity, professional license transferability, and 7 more — all with direct links to official state sources. Plus the full 50-state interactive map on every topic.
No credit card required for the first 7 days · Cancel anytime