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HEAD-TO-HEAD TAX COMPARISON · 2026

COUNTRY A Texas VS COUNTRY B Georgia

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

Daniel · CountryTaxCalc Updated May 2026 Tax Comparison 2026
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OVERVIEW
Texas and Georgia are two of the fastest-growing states in the US, both attracting businesses and residents from high-tax states. The core tax difference: Texas has no state income tax; Georgia charges a flat 4.99% rate (2026) on taxable income above ~$32,100 in combined deductions. Georgia reached 4.99% in 2026 under HB 463, ahead of the original schedule. At an $80,000 salary, the Texas income tax saving is approximately $2,390/year. At $150,000, the saving is approximately $5,880/year. Texas funds its government through property taxes (average effective rate ~1.40%) and sales tax (6.25% state rate). Georgia's property taxes are significantly lower — average effective rate approximately 0.83% — which is a meaningful advantage for homeowners. On a $400,000 home, Georgia property tax runs about $3,320/year versus Texas's $5,600/year. The property tax gap reduces but doesn't eliminate the Texas income tax advantage for most earners. For business owners, Texas has no corporate income tax but imposes a margin tax (franchise tax) of 0.75% of gross revenue above $2.47M. Georgia imposes a 5.75% corporate income tax. Small business owners and freelancers often prefer Texas's structure for its simplicity. Both states have no estate or inheritance tax.
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
Texas
TAX RATE
0%
No State Income Tax

Zero state income tax; no personal income tax on wages, self-employment, or investment income

🍑
COUNTRY B
Georgia
TAX RATE
4.99% flat
Flat Rate (2026)

4.99% flat rate (2026); deduction ~$32,100 (federal SD + GA exemptions); reached 4.99% in 2026 under HB 463

TYPICAL ANNUAL DIFFERENCE
Moving from Georgia → Texas at $80,000
$2,486

Texas saves approximately $2,390/year vs Georgia at $80K income after Georgia's ~$32,100 in combined deductions. Note: Georgia's property tax (~0.83%) is significantly lower than Texas's (~1.40%) — a $400K Georgia home costs ~$3,320/yr vs Texas $5,600/yr. Factor in property tax when comparing overall cost.

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
🤠 TX TAX
🍑 GA TAX
SAVINGS
10-YEAR
$50,000
$0
~$929 (after ~$32,100 deduction)
TX saves ~$929/yr
$9,290
$80,000
$0
~$2,486 (after ~$32,100 deduction)
TX saves ~$2,486/yr
$24,860
$100,000
$0
~$3,524 (after ~$32,100 deduction)
TX saves ~$3,524/yr
$35,240
$150,000
$0
~$6,119 (after ~$32,100 deduction)
TX saves ~$6,119/yr
$61,190
$250,000
$0
~$11,309 (after ~$32,100 deduction)
TX saves ~$11,309/yr
$113,090
💡

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🤠

Texas Pros & Cons

+ PROS
  • Zero state income tax — no tax on wages, self-employment, dividends, capital gains, or business income
  • No estate or inheritance tax
  • Major tech and business hubs in Austin, Dallas, Houston — strong job markets
  • No franchise tax for businesses under $2.47M revenue threshold
  • Large international airports and business infrastructure
− CONS
  • Property taxes ~1.40% — among the highest nationally and significantly above Georgia
  • On a $400K home: ~$5,600/year in property tax vs Georgia's ~$3,320/year
  • No state income tax means higher reliance on sales and property tax
  • Extreme summer heat throughout the state
  • Higher homeowners insurance in coastal and storm-prone areas
🍑

Georgia Pros & Cons

+ PROS
  • Property taxes ~0.83% — a little over half of Texas's effective rate
  • On a $400K home: ~$3,320/year vs Texas's ~$5,600/year — saving $2,280/year
  • Rate: 4.99% (target reached in 2026 under HB 463)
  • Atlanta is a major corporate hub with Fortune 500 presence
  • No estate or inheritance tax
  • More affordable housing than Austin or Dallas in comparable areas
− CONS
  • 4.99% flat income tax — applies to all wages, investment income, and self-employment
  • Corporate income tax 5.75% — higher than Texas franchise tax for most businesses
  • Atlanta traffic consistently ranked among worst in the US
  • Higher income tax burden at all salary levels vs Texas
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Texas or Georgia better for high earners?

At high income levels, Texas is better on income tax — at $200,000, the Texas saving is approximately $8,373/year after Georgia's ~$32,100 in combined deductions. However, Texas property taxes are notably higher than Georgia's, so the comparison depends heavily on your home value. If you own a $600,000 home, Texas costs approximately $8,400/year in property tax vs Georgia's $4,980/year — a $3,420/year Georgia advantage. At $200K income, the income tax saving ($8,373) still exceeds the property tax increase ($3,420), making Texas the better overall choice for high earners. At lower income and higher home values, Georgia can be competitive.

What is Georgia's plan to reduce its income tax rate?

Georgia passed legislation to reduce its flat income tax rate over several years: 5.49% in 2024, 5.39% in 2025, 4.99% in 2026, having reached 4.99% in 2026 under HB 463. The reduction plan requires the state to meet revenue targets. Even at 4.99%, Texas at 0% remains lower — but Georgia's combination of lower income tax rate and much lower property taxes makes the overall comparison more competitive for homeowners, particularly those with high-value properties.

How do property taxes compare between Texas and Georgia?

Georgia's effective property tax rate averages approximately 0.83% — one of the lower rates in the Southeast. Texas averages approximately 1.40% — among the highest in the country. On a $300,000 home: Georgia property tax ≈ $2,490/year; Texas ≈ $4,200/year. On a $500,000 home: Georgia ≈ $4,150/year; Texas ≈ $7,000/year. For homeowners moving from a high-value Texas property to Georgia, the property tax saving is substantial and must be weighed against the income tax increase.

How do Texas and Georgia compare for small business owners?

Texas has no corporate income tax but levies a franchise tax (margin tax) of 0.75% on gross revenues above $2.47 million. For businesses below this threshold — the majority of small businesses — Texas is effectively tax-free at the business level. Georgia levies a 5.75% corporate income tax. For pass-through entities (LLCs, S-Corps), income flows through to personal returns: Texas owners pay zero state income tax on this income; Georgia owners pay 4.99%. For most small business owners and freelancers, Texas is the better tax environment.

Which Texas or Georgia cities are best for relocating from a high-tax state?

Texas cities attracting the most interstate migrants are Austin (tech), Dallas-Fort Worth (finance, tech, logistics), Houston (energy, medical), and San Antonio (military, healthcare). Georgia's primary destination is metro Atlanta (Buckhead, Alpharetta, Marietta) and its suburbs. Austin and Dallas offer no income tax but high property taxes and rising housing costs. Atlanta offers lower property taxes, strong job market, and 4.99% income tax — a meaningful middle ground for those not seeking full tax elimination but wanting lower overall costs than Northeast or West Coast markets.

Does Georgia tax Social Security or retirement income?

Georgia exempts Social Security income from state income tax. Georgia also provides a retirement income exclusion: $35,000 per person (ages 62–64) or $65,000 per person (age 65+) on qualifying retirement income including pension income, IRA and 401(k) withdrawals, and investment income. For retirees, this exclusion substantially reduces or eliminates Georgia income tax — a couple over 65 can exclude $130,000 in retirement income. Texas, with no income tax at all, still wins in absolute terms, but Georgia is more competitive for retirees than the 4.99% headline rate suggests.
From the brief
NL27%new 2027 rate, down from 30%
DK65.4kkr/mo threshold, cut from 78k
MT1940snon-dom regime unchanged since
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