Texas vs Virginia Paycheck Comparison 2026
Annual salary
Annual salary
Additional options (filing status, deductions)
$3,498 /yr more take-home in Texas
$292/mo · $135 a paycheck.
Texas
Virginia
$61,593/yr in Texas vs $58,094/yr in Virginia.
Texas
Take-home per paycheck
$2,368.94
$61,593/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
Virginia
Take-home per paycheck
$2,234.39
$58,094/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
What this paycheck affords in Texas vs Virginia
Sized off $5,133/mo take-home in Texas and $4,841/mo in Virginia. Every figure below is a spending rule of thumb, not a tax rule.
Purchasing power
$69,097 is what Texas take-home is worth at Virginia prices
Against $58,094 actually paid in Virginia, leaving Texas $11,003/yr ahead once cost of living is taken off.
Rent
$382 /mo more for a two-bedroom in Virginia
$1,112/mo in Texas, $1,494/mo in Virginia.
The average two-bedroom takes 22% of take-home in Texas and 31% in Virginia — inside the comfortable range in Texas, a stretch in Virginia.
Buying a home
$85,000 more for the median home in Virginia
$295,000 in Texas, $380,000 in Virginia.
The median home is 1.2× what this salary supports in Texas and 1.4× in Virginia. 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
$764 /mo more left over in Texas
Texas has $1,695/mo spare; Virginia has $931/mo spare.
Both paychecks cover the local average for everything. Splitting rent with one roommate would free up $556/mo in Texas and $747/mo in Virginia.
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.
Other costs
| Cost | Texas | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.21/gal | $3.32/gal |
| Electricity | $87/mo | $94/mo |
| Infant childcare | $892/mo | $1,190/mo |
Childcare sits outside the budget above because it applies to some households and not others — on its own it is 17% of take-home in Texas and 25% in Virginia.
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
Texas: Texas has no state income tax. Residents pay only federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare.
Virginia: Virginia uses a progressive income tax with 4 brackets ranging from 2.00% to 5.75%.
Take-home pay at different salaries (single filer, 2026)
| Salary | Texas take-home | Virginia take-home | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $42,355 | $40,294 | + $2,061 |
| $75,000 | $61,593 | $58,094 | + $3,498 |
| $100,000 | $79,180 | $74,244 | + $4,936 |
| $150,000 | $113,791 | $105,980 | + $7,811 |
| $200,000 | $148,927 | $138,241 | + $10,686 |
| $300,000 | $215,177 | $198,741 | + $16,436 |
Positive values mean higher take-home in Texas. Assumes single filer, no deductions.
FAQ
Which state has lower taxes, Texas or Virginia?
At a $100,000 salary, Texas results in $4,936 more annual take-home pay. Texas has no state income tax. Residents pay only federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare. Virginia uses a progressive income tax with 4 brackets ranging from 2.00% to 5.75%.
How much more do you take home in Texas vs the other state?
The difference depends on salary. At $50,000, the gap is $2,061/yr. At $150,000, it grows to $7,811/yr. At $300,000, the difference is $16,436/yr.
Do Texas and Virginia 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 Texas or Virginia?
Texas is cheaper to live in. Cost of living in Texas is 6% lower than in Virginia. Texas's Regional Price Parity is 97.5 and Virginia's is 103.2 (US average = 100).
Is Texas cheaper than Virginia?
Yes. Texas has a lower cost of living than Virginia (index 97.5 vs 103.2). Housing is typically the biggest difference between the two states.
Is Virginia more expensive than Texas?
Yes. Virginia has a higher cost of living (index 103.2) compared to Texas (index 97.5). 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 $79,180 in Texas has the purchasing power of $74,807 in Virginia terms. Conversely, $74,244 in Virginia equals $78,585 in Texas terms. After adjusting for both taxes and cost of living, Virginia comes out ahead.
Texas vs Virginia cost of living — what's the difference?
The overall cost of living is 6% different between Texas and Virginia. Living costs are about 3% below the national average Living costs are about 3% above the national average After taxes and cost of living, Virginia gives you more purchasing power on a $100,000 salary.
Do I need to file state tax returns in both Texas and Virginia?
Texas has no state income tax, so residents do not file a state tax return. Virginia requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. 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.
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Texas Paycheck Estimator · Virginia Paycheck Estimator · All states