Mapped: Tax Burden by State in America

by Bruno Venditti

Mapped: Tax Burden by State in the U.S.

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Key Takeaways

• Hawaii and New York have the highest tax burdens, both exceeding 12% of income.
• Alaska and New Hampshire rank lowest, with total tax burdens below 6%.
• Despite very different tax systems, most states fall between 8% and 10%.

How much you pay in taxes can vary dramatically depending on where you live. Across the U.S., total state and local tax burdens range from under 5% to over 13% of income.

This map ranks all 50 states by total tax burden, combining income, property, and sales taxes into a single measure.

The data for this visualization comes from a WalletHub analysis of Tax Policy Center data. Federal income taxes are excluded.

The Highest-Tax States Stand Out

Hawaii ranks first with a total tax burden of 13.3%, the highest in the country. A key driver is its heavy reliance on sales and excise taxes, which account for 7.48% of personal income, the highest share among all states.

New York follows at 12.4%, driven by a combination of relatively high income and property taxes. Vermont, New Mexico, and Maine round out the top five, with each above a 10% total tax burden.

Most States Fall in a Narrow Range

For most Americans, tax burdens are far less extreme. The majority of states fall between roughly 8% and 10% of income, including Illinois, Maryland, California, and Minnesota.

That clustering reflects trade-offs. States with lower income taxes often make up the difference through higher property or sales taxes, leading to similar overall burdens.

No Income Tax Doesn’t Always Mean a Low Burden

At the bottom of the ranking are states with significantly lower tax burdens, led by Alaska at 4.9% and New Hampshire at 5.4%. Several states, including Florida, Texas, and Tennessee, do not levy a state income tax.

However, no income tax does not always translate into the lowest overall burden. Many of these states rely more heavily on sales taxes or alternative revenue sources such as tourism or natural resources.

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