California has some of the highest state income taxes in the country, topping out at over 13% for high earners. Pair that with some of the most expensive housing markets in the US and it is easy to see why so many people are looking at other states. We compared the LA metro area against 15 of the most common destinations for Californians, all on a $100K salary.
Take-home there
$6,561/mo
2-BR Rent there
$1,573/mo
Left in LA
$3,514/mo
Left there
$4,988/mo
Take-home there
$6,561/mo
2-BR Rent there
$1,730/mo
Left in LA
$3,514/mo
Left there
$4,831/mo
Take-home there
$6,561/mo
2-BR Rent there
$1,735/mo
Left in LA
$3,514/mo
Left there
$4,826/mo
Take-home there
$6,561/mo
2-BR Rent there
$1,852/mo
Left in LA
$3,514/mo
Left there
$4,709/mo
Take-home there
$6,561/mo
2-BR Rent there
$1,931/mo
Left in LA
$3,514/mo
Left there
$4,630/mo
Take-home there
$6,561/mo
2-BR Rent there
$1,977/mo
Left in LA
$3,514/mo
Left there
$4,584/mo
Take-home there
$6,382/mo
2-BR Rent there
$1,839/mo
Left in LA
$3,514/mo
Left there
$4,543/mo
Take-home there
$6,186/mo
2-BR Rent there
$1,686/mo
Left in LA
$3,514/mo
Left there
$4,500/mo
Take-home there
$6,149/mo
2-BR Rent there
$1,655/mo
Left in LA
$3,514/mo
Left there
$4,494/mo
Take-home there
$6,186/mo
2-BR Rent there
$1,750/mo
Left in LA
$3,514/mo
Left there
$4,436/mo
Take-home there
$6,174/mo
2-BR Rent there
$1,747/mo
Left in LA
$3,514/mo
Left there
$4,427/mo
Take-home there
$6,159/mo
2-BR Rent there
$1,820/mo
Left in LA
$3,514/mo
Left there
$4,339/mo
Take-home there
$6,195/mo
2-BR Rent there
$2,089/mo
Left in LA
$3,514/mo
Left there
$4,106/mo
Take-home there
$6,561/mo
2-BR Rent there
$2,501/mo
Left in LA
$3,514/mo
Left there
$4,060/mo
Take-home there
$5,874/mo
2-BR Rent there
$1,922/mo
Left in LA
$3,514/mo
Left there
$3,952/mo
The biggest savings come from moving to states with no income tax, like Texas, Florida, Tennessee, or Washington. But even states with moderate income taxes like Arizona and Colorado come out significantly ahead of California. For a personalized breakdown with your actual salary, use the comparison tool below.
Compare with your own salaryData from IRS (2026 brackets) and HUD Fair Market Rents (FY2026). Single filer, 2-bedroom apartment, $100K salary.