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HEAD-TO-HEAD TAX COMPARISON · 2026

COUNTRY A New Hampshire VS COUNTRY B Georgia

Side-by-side analysis of income tax, effective rates, and take-home pay for New Hampshire and Georgia in 2026.

OVERVIEW
New Hampshire and Georgia are popular destinations for different types of movers: New Hampshire attracts Northeast professionals seeking tax relief within commuting distance of Boston, while Georgia (and Atlanta specifically) pulls Northeasterners with warm climate, affordable housing, and a booming economy. On taxes, New Hampshire's dual zero advantage (0% income + 0% sales) provides a compelling financial case over Georgia's 5.39% flat income tax and ~7.4% combined sales tax. At $100,000 income with a $300,000 home, New Hampshire saves approximately $4,220/year net — driven by $5,390 in income tax savings and $2,220 in sales tax savings, partially offset by approximately $3,390 more in property tax (NH 2.04% vs GA 0.91%). At $200,000 and $300,000 income, New Hampshire's advantage grows to approximately $8,090 and $11,960 respectively, as the income tax gap compounds while the property tax differential remains constant. Georgia's flat tax is phasing down annually (from 5.49% in 2024 toward 4.99% by ~2029), which will gradually narrow this comparison. Georgia also offers a significant retirement income exclusion for residents 65+ (up to $65,000/person), which can virtually eliminate Georgia's income tax burden for qualifying retirees. For working-age professionals, investors, and families, New Hampshire's dual zero advantage significantly outperforms Georgia's total tax burden.
Section 01

The Big Picture

Top-line rates and effective take-home for a typical earner — including income tax, social contributions, and applicable surcharges.
⛰️
COUNTRY A
New Hampshire
TAX RATE
0%
No Income Tax and No Sales Tax — Dual Zero-Tax in the Northeast
No income tax on wages or investment income (Interest & Dividends Tax repealed January 1, 2025); 0% state sales tax; property tax ~2.04% average (3rd highest in US); no estate tax; no capital gains tax
🍑
COUNTRY B
Georgia
TAX RATE
5.39%
Flat Income Tax — Phasing Down Toward 4.99% by ~2029
5.39% flat income tax on all income (reduced from 5.49% in 2024; phasing down annually toward 4.99%); 4% state sales tax (~7.4% combined average); property tax ~0.91% average; no estate tax; capital gains taxed as ordinary income at 5.39%
TYPICAL ANNUAL DIFFERENCE
Moving from GeorgiaNew Hampshire at Net annual New Hampshire advantage vs Georgia at $100K–$300K (income tax + sales tax saving minus property tax premium)
$4,220–$11,960 net
That's $352–$997/month net at $100K–$300K income back in your pocket
Section 02

Tax Savings by Income Level

Net take-home after all income tax, social contributions, and surcharges — for a single employee with no dependents.
GROSS INCOME
⛰️ NH TAX
🍑 GA TAX
SAVINGS
10-YEAR
$50,000
$0 income tax; ~$4,794 property (2.04% × $235K home); $0 sales = ~$4,794 total
~$2,695 income tax (5.39%); ~$2,139 property (0.91% × $235K home); ~$1,480 sales (7.4% × $20K) = ~$6,314 total
NH saves ~$2,695 income + ~$1,480 sales = $4,175; pays ~$2,655 more property = ~$1,520 net NH advantage at $50K
$15,200
$100,000
$0 income tax; ~$6,120 property (2.04% × $300K home); $0 sales = ~$6,120 total
~$5,390 income tax (5.39%); ~$2,730 property (0.91% × $300K home); ~$2,220 sales (7.4% × $30K) = ~$10,340 total
NH saves ~$5,390 income + ~$2,220 sales = $7,610; pays ~$3,390 more property = ~$4,220 net NH advantage at $100K
$42,200
$200,000
$0 income tax; ~$10,200 property (2.04% × $500K home); $0 sales = ~$10,200 total
~$10,780 income tax (5.39%); ~$4,550 property (0.91% × $500K home); ~$2,960 sales (7.4% × $40K) = ~$18,290 total
NH saves ~$10,780 income + ~$2,960 sales = $13,740; pays ~$5,650 more property = ~$8,090 net NH advantage at $200K
$80,900
$300,000
$0 income tax; ~$14,280 property (2.04% × $700K home); $0 sales = ~$14,280 total
~$16,170 income tax (5.39%); ~$6,370 property (0.91% × $700K home); ~$3,700 sales (7.4% × $50K) = ~$26,240 total
NH saves ~$16,170 income + ~$3,700 sales = $19,870; pays ~$7,910 more property = ~$11,960 net NH advantage at $300K
$119,600
$500K capital gain
$0 state capital gains tax (New Hampshire: no income or capital gains tax)
~$26,950 Georgia state capital gains tax (GA taxes capital gains as ordinary income at 5.39%)
NH saves ~$26,950 on each $500K capital gain event vs Georgia
Depends on frequency of gain events
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New Hampshire Pros & Cons

+ PROS
  • Dual zero-tax advantage — New Hampshire has both 0% income tax and 0% sales tax; Georgia charges 5.39% flat income tax and ~7.4% combined sales tax; at $200,000 income with $40,000 spending, NH saves approximately $13,740 in combined income and sales taxes
  • No capital gains tax — New Hampshire charges $0; Georgia taxes capital gains at 5.39% as ordinary income; a $500,000 gain saves approximately $26,950
  • Zero sales tax — New Hampshire's 0% sales tax vs Georgia's ~7.4% combined average; on $30,000/year of taxable spending, NH saves approximately $2,220/year
  • Strong advantage at all income levels — even at $50,000 income (where property tax often hurts NH comparisons), NH still leads Georgia by approximately $1,520/year due to Georgia's high income rate
− CONS
  • Higher property tax than Georgia — New Hampshire's ~2.04% exceeds Georgia's ~0.91%; on a $400,000 home, NH pays approximately $4,520/year more; this narrows NH's advantage at lower income levels but does not eliminate it
  • Georgia's tax rate is declining — Georgia's flat rate has fallen from 5.49% (2024) toward 4.99% (~2029); the annual savings advantage will gradually narrow as Georgia's rate decreases
  • Limited Sun Belt career opportunities — Atlanta's major economy (Delta Air Lines, Coca-Cola, Home Depot, NCR, booming tech sector) offers career density and warm climate that New Hampshire's Boston-commuter corridor cannot replicate
🍑

Georgia Pros & Cons

+ PROS
  • Atlanta's major economic hub — Georgia hosts major Fortune 500 headquarters and a rapidly expanding tech sector; career opportunities from Atlanta's metro (6.2M) far exceed what New Hampshire's cities offer
  • Warm climate — Georgia's mild winters and warm summers are a primary quality-of-life factor for Northeast-to-South movers tired of harsh New England winters
  • Lower property tax — Georgia's ~0.91% is well below New Hampshire's ~2.04%; on expensive homes, this reduces Georgia's total tax disadvantage significantly
  • Retirement income exclusion — Georgia residents 65+ can exclude up to $65,000/person ($130,000/couple) from state income tax; this can largely or entirely eliminate Georgia's income tax burden for qualifying retirees
− CONS
  • 5.39% flat income tax on all income — Georgia residents pay 5.39% on wages, investment income, business income, and retirement distributions above the exclusion limit; at $200,000, approximately $10,780/year; New Hampshire residents pay $0
  • Capital gains taxed as ordinary income — Georgia provides no preferential rate; all gains taxed at 5.39%; New Hampshire charges $0; a $500,000 gain costs approximately $26,950 in Georgia
  • Higher combined sales tax — Georgia's ~7.4% exceeds New Hampshire's 0%; a household spending $30,000/year pays approximately $2,220/year more in Georgia
  • No trust law advantage — Georgia's trust laws are standard; New Hampshire offers more flexible trust structures than Georgia for complex estate planning
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Does New Hampshire have an income tax?

No. New Hampshire eliminated its last income tax — the Interest & Dividends Tax on investment income — effective January 1, 2025. As of 2025, New Hampshire has 0% state income tax on wages, salaries, investment income, capital gains, and retirement distributions. New Hampshire also has 0% state sales tax — making it the only state in the continental US with both zero income and zero sales tax.

What is Georgia's income tax rate in 2026?

Georgia adopted a 5.49% flat income tax rate in 2024, replacing its former progressive bracket system. The rate was reduced to 5.39% for the 2025 tax year and is scheduled to decline by 0.1% annually until it reaches 4.99%, provided revenue thresholds are met. Georgia residents pay this rate on wages, investment income, and retirement distributions above the $65,000/person retirement exclusion for residents 65+.

Is New Hampshire or Georgia better for retirees?

It depends on income level and age. Georgia residents 65+ can exclude up to $65,000/person ($130,000/couple) from state income tax — which largely or entirely eliminates Georgia's income tax burden for many retirees. For retirees with income within the exclusion threshold, Georgia's lower property tax, warm climate, and Social Security exemption make it competitive with New Hampshire. For retirees with income above the exclusion limit or significant capital gains, New Hampshire's 0% tax and 0% sales tax provide superior financial outcomes.

How do property taxes compare between New Hampshire and Georgia?

New Hampshire's effective property tax rate (~2.04%) is more than twice Georgia's (~0.91%). On a $400,000 home: New Hampshire costs approximately $8,160/year; Georgia approximately $3,640/year — a difference of approximately $4,520/year. Georgia's lower property tax narrows New Hampshire's income and sales tax advantage, but at $100,000+ income the income tax savings ($5,390+) exceed the property tax premium.

Does Georgia have a sales tax?

Yes. Georgia's state sales tax is 4%, and counties add additional rates bringing the combined average to approximately 7.4%. Most Georgia counties charge 3%+ in local additions. New Hampshire has 0% state sales tax and no local sales tax — on $30,000/year of taxable spending, the difference is approximately $2,220/year in New Hampshire's favour.

Is New Hampshire or Georgia better for remote workers?

New Hampshire is financially superior for remote workers at $100,000+ income — approximately $4,220–$11,960/year advantage depending on income level. The combination of 0% income tax and 0% sales tax saves $7,610/year in income and sales taxes at $100K, minus approximately $3,390 more in property tax. For remote workers renting (no property tax exposure), New Hampshire's advantage is even larger. Workers who need access to Atlanta's major employer base cannot replicate that in New Hampshire.