Georgia vs Texas Paycheck Comparison 2026

Annual salary

$

Annual salary

$
Additional options (filing status, deductions)
Filing status
$
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$2,994 /yr more take-home in Texas

$250/mo · $115 a paycheck.

Georgia

Texas

$58,599/yr in Georgia vs $61,593/yr in Texas.

Georgia

Take-home per paycheck

$2,253.79

$58,599/yr · 26x/yr

Federal tax$7,67010%
State tax$2,9944%
Social Security$4,6506%
Medicare$1,0881%
Take-home$58,59978%
Tax rates
Effective: 21.9%Marginal fed: 22.0%Marginal state: 5.0%

Texas

Take-home per paycheck

$2,368.94

$61,593/yr · 26x/yr

Federal tax$7,67010%
Social Security$4,6506%
Medicare$1,0881%
Take-home$61,59382%
Tax rates
Effective: 17.9%Marginal fed: 22.0%

What this paycheck affords in Georgia vs Texas

Sized off $4,883/mo take-home in Georgia and $5,133/mo in Texas. Every figure below is a spending rule of thumb, not a tax rule.

Purchasing power

$57,899 is what Georgia take-home is worth at Texas prices

Against $61,593 actually paid in Texas, leaving Texas $3,694/yr ahead once cost of living is taken off.

Rent

$4 /mo more for a two-bedroom in Georgia

$1,116/mo in Georgia, $1,112/mo in Texas.

Georgiaavg 2BR $1,116/mo · 23% of take-home
Texasavg 2BR $1,112/mo · 22% of take-home
Comfortable — 30% of take-homeStretch — up to 40%Average two-bedroom

The average two-bedroom takes 23% of take-home in Georgia and 22% in Texas — inside the comfortable range in both.

Buying a home

$15,000 more for the median home in Georgia

$310,000 in Georgia, $295,000 in Texas.

Georgiabuys up to $279,009 · median $310,000
Texasbuys up to $250,743 · median $295,000
What the salary supportsMedian home price

The median home is 1.1× what this salary supports in Georgia and 1.2× in Texas. Lenders size a mortgage off gross pay, so the budgets start from $75,000 at a 28% debt-to-income ratio, 6.75% over 30 years, each with its own state property tax rate.

What's left each month

$287 /mo more left over in Texas

Georgia has $1,407/mo spare; Texas has $1,695/mo spare.

Georgia$4,883/mo take-home · $1,407/mo left
Texas$5,133/mo take-home · $1,695/mo left
HousingGroceriesUtilitiesTransportationHealthcareDining & MiscLeft over

Both paychecks cover the local average for everything. Splitting rent with one roommate would free up $558/mo in Georgia and $556/mo in Texas.

Monthly cost by expense class

Every class on one scale, so housing's share of the month stays visible. Housing is the measured average two-bedroom; the rest are BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey averages moved by each state's cost-of-living index.

Housingthe same in both
Georgia$1,116
Texas$1,112
Groceries$12/mo more in Georgia — 3%
Georgia$465
Texas$453
Utilities$9/mo more in Texas — 2%
Georgia$372
Texas$381
Transportation$22/mo more in Georgia — 3%
Georgia$766
Texas$743
Healthcarethe same in both
Georgia$418
Texas$416
Dining & Misc$6/mo more in Georgia — 2%
Georgia$340
Texas$333

Other costs

CostGeorgiaTexas
Regular gas$3.32/gal$3.21/gal
Electricity$101/mo$87/mo
Infant childcare$989/mo$892/mo

Childcare sits outside the budget above because it applies to some households and not others — on its own it is 20% of take-home in Georgia and 17% in Texas.

Sources: MERIC/C2ER Cost of Living Index (2025), AAA Fuel Gauge Report (2025), EIA State Electricity Profiles (2024), Child Care Aware of America (2024), Zillow Home Value Index (2025), BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)

Estimate based on 2026 tax rates and standard deductions. Does not include local taxes, itemized deductions, tax credits, or other individual circumstances.

Tax system comparison

Georgia: Georgia has a flat state income tax of 4.99%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate.

Texas: Texas has no state income tax. Residents pay only federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare.

Take-home pay at different salaries (single filer, 2026)

Salary Georgia take-home Texas take-home Difference
$50,000 $40,609 $42,355 -$1,746
$75,000 $58,599 $61,593 -$2,994
$100,000 $74,939 $79,180 -$4,241
$150,000 $107,055 $113,791 -$6,736
$200,000 $139,696 $148,927 -$9,231
$300,000 $200,955 $215,177 -$14,221

Positive values mean higher take-home in Georgia. Assumes single filer, no deductions.

FAQ

Which state has lower taxes, Georgia or Texas?

At a $100,000 salary, Texas results in $4,242 more annual take-home pay. Georgia has a flat state income tax of 4.99%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate. Texas has no state income tax. Residents pay only federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare.

How much more do you take home in Texas vs the other state?

The difference depends on salary. At $50,000, the gap is $1,747/yr. At $150,000, it grows to $6,737/yr. At $300,000, the difference is $14,222/yr.

Do Georgia and Texas have the same federal taxes?

Yes. Federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare are the same in every state. Only state income tax differs. This calculator shows the combined effect of federal and state taxes on your take-home pay.

Is it cheaper to live in Georgia or Texas?

Georgia is cheaper to live in. Cost of living in Georgia is 5% lower than in Texas. Georgia's Regional Price Parity is 92.5 and Texas's is 97.5 (US average = 100).

Is Georgia cheaper than Texas?

Yes. Georgia has a lower cost of living than Texas (index 92.5 vs 97.5). Housing is typically the biggest difference between the two states.

Is Texas more expensive than Georgia?

Yes. Texas has a higher cost of living (index 97.5) compared to Georgia (index 92.5). The national average is 100. Housing costs are typically the largest driver of the difference.

After cost of living, which state is actually cheaper?

At a $100,000 salary, take-home pay of $74,939 in Georgia has the purchasing power of $71,096 in Texas terms. Conversely, $79,180 in Texas equals $83,460 in Georgia terms. After adjusting for both taxes and cost of living, Texas comes out ahead.

Georgia vs Texas cost of living — what's the difference?

The overall cost of living is 5% different between Georgia and Texas. Living costs are 8% below the national average Living costs are about 3% below the national average After taxes and cost of living, Texas gives you more purchasing power on a $100,000 salary.

Do I need to file state tax returns in both Georgia and Texas?

Georgia requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. Texas has no state income tax, so residents do not file a state tax return. If you move between states mid-year, you typically file a part-year resident return in each state for the income earned while living there. Each state has its own tax return form — check your state's department of revenue website for the correct form and e-filing options.

Related tools

Georgia Paycheck Estimator · Texas Paycheck Estimator · All states