# California vs Texas paycheck

Same job, two tax maps. Sample from the Takehome Cash engine: $80,000 annual gross, single, no 401(k), no health premium, tax year 2026. Not a forecast of your stub.

## California

- Gross: $80,000.00
- Federal income tax: $8,770.00
- Social Security: $4,960.00
- Medicare: $1,160.00
- State income tax: $3,210.42
- Net / take-home: $61,899.58 (effective tax 22.6%)
- Per paycheck net: $61,899.58 (1 periods)

## Texas

- Gross: $80,000.00
- Federal income tax: $8,770.00
- Social Security: $4,960.00
- Medicare: $1,160.00
- State income tax: $0.00
- Net / take-home: $65,110.00 (effective tax 18.6%)
- Per paycheck net: $65,110.00 (1 periods)

Federal and FICA lines match because the sample wage and filing status are identical; the gap is the California state income-tax model. Omits SDI, local taxes, and credits.

See [California](https://takehomecash.com/california-paycheck-calculator/index.md) and [Texas](https://takehomecash.com/texas-paycheck-calculator/index.md).