Compare taxes and see how much you save moving from New York to North Carolina
New York imposes a combined state and local income tax reaching 14.776% for NYC residents (state 10.9% + NYC local 3.876%), while North Carolina has a flat 4.5% rate across all income levels. A $100,000 earner in NYC pays approximately $10,452 in combined income tax ($6,576 state + $3,876 NYC) vs $4,500 in North Carolina—saving $5,952/year. At $150,000, the savings jump to $10,677 annually. Property taxes heavily favor North Carolina (0.77% vs NY 1.72%), saving $3,800/year on a $400,000 home. This massive tax differential has fueled a major relocation trend: New York lost 400,000+ residents from 2020-2023 while North Carolina gained 230,000, with many NYC finance and tech workers moving to Charlotte and Raleigh for remote work arbitrage—keeping NYC salaries while paying NC's 4.5% flat rate.
Plus NYC Local Tax
State 4-10.9% + NYC 3.078-3.876% = 14.776% combined max
Flat Rate (Changed 2024)
Single flat rate of 4.5% on all income (simplified from progressive in 2024)
At $150,000 income:
That is $890/month back in your pocket!
| Income | NY Tax | NC Tax | Savings | 10-Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $4,939 NYC combined | $2,250 | $2,689 | $26,890 |
| $75,000 | $7,689 NYC combined | $3,375 | $4,314 | $43,140 |
| $100,000 | $10,452 NYC combined | $4,500 | $5,952 | $59,520 |
| $150,000 | $16,302 NYC combined | $6,750 | $9,552 | $95,520 |
| $250,000 | $28,165 NYC combined | $11,250 | $16,915 | $169,150 |
| $100K upstate NY (no NYC tax) | $6,576 state only | $4,500 | $2,076 | $20,760 |
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Moving from New York to North Carolina? Multi-state returns are tricky—partial-year residency, different deadlines, avoiding double taxation. Get matched with a CPA who specializes in state moves. Virtual meetings, fixed pricing.
Get Matched With a CPA →At $100,000 income, you save $5,952 per year on income tax alone moving from NYC to NC ($496/month). NYC charges 10.9% state + 3.876% local = 14.776% combined. NC charges 4.5% flat. Add property tax savings ($5,320/year on a $400K home) and total savings reach $11,272/year = $112,720 over 10 years. At $150,000 income, savings jump to $13,936/year total.
NYC imposes a local income tax of 3.078-3.876% (based on income) on all residents of the 5 boroughs (Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island). This is added on top of NY state tax, creating combined rates up to 14.776%. Non-resident commuters do NOT pay NYC local income tax. At $100K income, NYC local tax alone is $3,876/year—nearly as much as NC's entire 4.5% state tax ($4,500).
Generally yes, if you establish NC residency. You must: (1) spend 183+ days in NC, (2) get NC driver's license, (3) register to vote in NC, (4) file NC state return. However, some NYC employers have "convenience of employer" rules requiring NY tax even for remote workers. Verify with your employer's payroll/HR and consult a tax professional. Keep detailed records of days in each state. If valid NC resident, you pay only NC's 4.5% rate.
New York property tax averages 1.72% (7th highest nationally), but varies widely: Westchester 2.25%, Long Island 2.0-2.4%, upstate 2.5-3.0%. North Carolina averages 0.77% (35th nationally): Charlotte 0.92%, Raleigh 0.82%, Asheville 0.65%. On a $400K home: NY = $6,880-9,000/year, NC = $3,080-3,680/year. Savings: $3,200-5,320/year. Combined with income tax savings, total tax reduction reaches $11,000-$23,000/year for homeowners.
Tax savings drive the trend. NYC's 14.776% combined income tax vs NC's 4.5% flat rate creates $6,000-$17,000/year savings depending on income. Add property tax savings ($3,000-6,000/year), plus 40-50% lower housing costs, and after-tax purchasing power increases dramatically. Remote work allows keeping NYC salaries while paying NC taxes. NY lost 400K+ residents 2020-2023; NC gained 230K+. Charlotte (banking) and Raleigh (tech) have become NYC transplant hubs.
Upstate NY has NO NYC local income tax, so combined rates are lower than NYC. However, upstate still pays NY state tax (up to 10.9%), which is higher than NC's 4.5%. At $100K: upstate NY pays $6,576 state tax vs NC $4,500 = save $2,076/year. Property taxes upstate are often HIGHER than NYC (2.5-3.0% in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse) vs NC 0.77%. So NC still wins vs upstate, just by smaller margin than vs NYC.
NC switched from a progressive tax system (3 brackets: 4.75%, 6%, 7.75%) to a flat 4.5% rate effective January 1, 2024. This simplified tax filing and made NC more competitive with Tennessee (0%) and Florida (0%) for attracting relocations from high-tax states. Prior to 2014, NC had rates up to 7.75%. The flat 4.5% rate is scheduled to potentially decrease further to 3.99% by 2027 if revenue targets are met.
Charlotte (120K+ NY transplants): Finance/banking professionals, 2nd largest US banking center after NYC. Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill (90K+ transplants): Tech workers, Research Triangle Park draws from NYC tech scene. Asheville (15K+ transplants): Retirees, artists, remote workers, mountain lifestyle. Wilmington: Beach communities at fraction of Long Island cost. Greenville/Cary: Suburbs with excellent schools for families relocating from Westchester/Long Island.
Yes. Sales tax: NY 8-8.875% combined (state + local) vs NC 6.75-7.5%. NC taxes groceries at 2% (NY doesn't). Estate tax: NY has estate tax (0.8-16% on estates over $6.94M in 2026), NC has none. Corporate tax (if you own a business): NY 6.5-7.25% vs NC 2.5%. Gas tax: NY $0.47/gallon vs NC $0.38/gallon. Overall, NC has lower total tax burden across nearly all categories except groceries.
At ANY income level, NC has lower taxes than NYC. Even at $50K, you save $2,689/year. But the savings become life-changing at $100K+ ($5,952/year) and transformational at $150K+ ($8,616/year income tax + $5,000+ property tax = $13,000+/year total). For homeowners making $100K+, the 10-year savings ($110K-$140K+) alone fund a down payment on a second home, early retirement, or college tuition. The decision is financially clear at almost any income level.