The pros and cons of living in a state with no income tax

The pros and cons of living in a state with no income tax

Every American citizen is responsible for paying federal income tax; some taxpayers must also pay separate state income tax.

As of 2023, only nine states charge no additional income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.

At first glance, there may be no reason to live in a state with an income tax simply because it adds an extra financial burden to your budget. But there are pros and cons to living in a state with certain tax advantages.

Pro: You will only have to pay federal income tax

The highest federal income tax bracket is 37%. If you find yourself in this category, you will miss out on a significant amount of your income from the federal government. Adding state income tax on top of that, especially in a high-tax state like California, can push your total income tax bill to more than 50%. Rates like these are enough to drive some high-income earners away from high-tax states like California to non-tax states like Texas.

Cons: Other taxes may be higher

Countries without an income tax are not affluent and good. They have a different structure for increasing revenue. With no income tax dollars, these states must obtain that revenue from other sources.

This usually translates to higher sales, property, and taxes on gasoline. For example, New Hampshire and Texas homeowners pay some of the highest property taxes in the country, at 1.89% and 1.6%. Washington charges the country's third highest gasoline tax, at 49.4 cents per gallon.

Although you may not have to pay state income tax, your overall tax bill may be higher, depending on your lifestyle. Your tax bill will likely be much lower if you don't own property and use public transportation. But your tax bill could be significant if you own some expensive real estate and drive a gas-guzzling car on your daily commute.

Cons: Low spending on infrastructure and education

Sometimes, the lack of a state income tax does not translate into lower revenues for individual states. In turn, this may lead to lower government spending on essential services. According to an analysis conducted by the US Census Bureau in 2021, South Dakota and Wyoming — two states with no income tax — spent the least on education of all 50 states.

Other states without income tax revenue may cut spending in other areas, such as infrastructure. As a resident, you must decide if this trade-off is worth it.

Is it better to live in a state with no income tax?

Ultimately, whether it's better to live in a state with no income tax depends in part on your financial situation — but there are other considerations as well. For example, the quality of life and the lifestyle you choose to live are also important.

From a purely financial standpoint, it's important to remember that how much you earn plays a huge role in your tax situation. For example, if you're a single taxpayer living in California and making $1 million a year, tax rates come to a whopping 13.3%. However, if you earn a low to moderate wage, the tax rates are manageable, even in California. As with any financial question, there is no black-and-white answer as to whether it is better to live in a state without an income tax, as several personal factors come into play.