The Tax Brief real effective rates for 111+ countries — bi-weekly, free.
HEAD-TO-HEAD TAX COMPARISON · 2026

COUNTRY A North Carolina VS COUNTRY B Texas

Side-by-side analysis of income tax, effective rates, and take-home pay for North Carolina and Texas in 2026.

Daniel · CountryTaxCalc Updated May 2026 Tax Comparison 2026
Calculate your take-home → See all comparisons →
OVERVIEW
Two of America's fastest-growing tech states compared. North Carolina's aggressive tax cuts (7.75% to 3.99% flat) compete with Texas's 0% income tax. At $100,000: NC $3,990 vs Texas $0. The catch: Texas property taxes (1.6%) are double North Carolina's (0.77%). For renters and high earners, Texas wins; homeowners with moderate incomes see smaller net savings. Both states are top destinations for California tech exodus.
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
North Carolina
TAX RATE
3.99%
Low Flat Tax
Cut from 7.75% since 2013; now 3.99% (2026)
⭐
COUNTRY B
Texas
TAX RATE
0%
No Income Tax
Constitutionally prohibited
TYPICAL ANNUAL DIFFERENCE
Moving from Texas → North Carolina at $100,000
$3,990
That's $333/month 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
🏀 NC TAX
⭐ TX TAX
SAVINGS
10-YEAR
$50,000
$1,995
$0
TX saves $1,995
$19,950
$75,000
$2,993
$0
TX saves $2,993
$29,930
$100,000
$3,990
$0
TX saves $3,990
$39,900
$150,000
$5,985
$0
TX saves $5,985
$59,850
$200,000
$7,980
$0
TX saves $7,980
$79,800
$300,000
$11,970
$0
TX saves $11,970
$119,700
💡

CountryTaxCalc.com is reader-supported. When you use our partner links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. This helps us provide free tax calculators and comparison tools. Learn more about our affiliate partnerships

Talk to a Real CPA

Taxhub

★ 4.8 verified reviews  ·  3,758 reviews

Moving from North Carolina to Texas? 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.

⚠ Not for simple single-state returns. Free filing is fine for straightforward W-2 situations.

Get Matched With a CPA →

Interested in reaching this audience? Advertise on CountryTaxCalc →

🏀

North Carolina Pros & Cons

+ PROS
  • Property taxes only 0.77% (TX is 1.6% - double)
  • Research Triangle: Apple, Google, major biotech hub
  • Four mild seasons (no extreme heat or cold)
  • Charlotte: #2 banking center (Bank of America HQ)
− CONS
  • 3.99% flat income tax (vs TX 0%)
  • Smaller tech market than Austin/Dallas combined
  • Some hurricane risk on coast
  • Less venture capital than Texas
⭐

Texas Pros & Cons

+ PROS
  • 0% state income tax (constitutionally prohibited)
  • Massive tech scene: Austin, Dallas, Houston
  • More Fortune 500 HQs than any other state
  • Larger overall job market
− CONS
  • Property taxes 1.6% (double NC's 0.77%)
  • Extreme summer heat (100°F+ for months)
  • Car-dependent: no real public transit
  • Higher home insurance costs
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How much will I save moving from North Carolina to Texas?

At $100,000 income: save $3,990/year in income tax. However, Texas property taxes are double (1.6% vs 0.77%). On a $400K home: TX = $6,400/year, NC = $3,080/year—a $3,320 difference. Net savings at $100K with $400K home: only $670/year. Higher earners with cheaper homes see bigger net gains.

Is Austin or the Research Triangle better for tech careers?

Austin has more VC funding, more startups, and Tesla/Meta/Google HQs. Research Triangle has Apple's $1B campus, strong biotech, and pharma (GSK, Biogen). Austin is better for startups and pure tech; Research Triangle is better for hardware, biotech, and corporate stability. Salaries are similar; cost of living is slightly lower in Raleigh.

Which state has lower total tax burden?

It depends on your situation. A $100K earner renting an apartment: Texas wins by $3,990/year. A $100K earner with a $500K home: Texas wins by ~$270/year (income savings minus property tax difference). A $75K earner with a $400K home: North Carolina may actually be cheaper due to property tax savings exceeding income tax.

How does North Carolina's tax reform compare to Texas?

NC slashed its top rate from 7.75% (2013) to 3.99% (2026), with plans to hit 3.49% by 2027. This makes NC increasingly competitive. At 3.99%, a $100K earner pays $3,990 in NC—still more than TX ($0), but the gap continues to narrow. NC's property tax advantage (0.77% vs 1.6%) helps close the total tax gap further.

Should I choose Charlotte or Dallas for finance careers?

Charlotte is the #2 banking center (Bank of America HQ, Wells Fargo hub, Truist). Dallas has broader corporate presence (AT&T, American Airlines) but finance is more concentrated in Charlotte. For pure banking careers, Charlotte rivals NYC; for corporate finance diversity, Dallas has more options. Both have 0% (TX) or low (NC 3.99%) income tax.
From the brief
PT38.4%−9.6 vs. headline
CY17.8%incl. 60-day rule
AE 0.0%substance required
The Tax Brief · Subscribe free

More like this, every two weeks.

Verified rates, real after-tax figures, plain English. Free.

Bi-weekly. No spam. Unsubscribe in one click.