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

COUNTRY A Wyoming VS COUNTRY B New York

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

Daniel · CountryTaxCalc Updated June 2026 Tax Comparison 2026
Calculate your take-home → See all comparisons →
OVERVIEW
Wyoming and New York represent the two extremes of American state taxation. Wyoming has never enacted a personal income tax — residents pay $0 in state income tax on wages, investment income, capital gains, and retirement distributions at any income level. New York imposes nine progressive income tax brackets from 4% to 10.9%, and New York City residents face an additional 3.078–3.876% local surcharge, bringing their combined state-plus-city rate to as high as 14.776%. For a typical NYC resident earning $100,000, Wyoming saves approximately $7,900 per year in income taxes alone. At $250,000, the savings exceed $23,000 per year. Beyond income tax, New York's property taxes average 1.73% of home value — three times Wyoming's 0.57% rate. New York also has a state estate tax on estates above $6.94 million (2026 threshold), while Wyoming has no estate tax at all. The Tax Foundation ranks Wyoming #1 and New York #50 on the 2026 State Tax Competitiveness Index. For high earners, remote workers, retirees, and investors relocating from the New York metro area, Wyoming's no-tax environment offers some of the largest annual savings of any state-to-state move in the US.
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
Wyoming
TAX RATE
0%
No Income Tax — #1 State Tax Competitiveness
No income tax; 4% state sales tax (~5.36% combined with local); property tax ~0.57% (one of the lowest in the US); no estate tax; no capital gains tax; Mineral Trust Fund funds state services
🗽
COUNTRY B
New York
TAX RATE
4–10.9%
Progressive Income Tax + NYC Surcharge Up to 3.876%
9 progressive state brackets from 4% to 10.9%; NYC residents pay an additional 3.078–3.876% local tax (up to 14.776% combined); property tax ~1.73% average (one of the highest in US); estate tax on estates over $6.94M; 8.52% combined sales tax
TYPICAL ANNUAL DIFFERENCE
Moving from New York → Wyoming at Annual Wyoming income tax saving vs New York City (at $100K–$500K income)
$7,900–$50,000+
That's $658–$4,167/month at $100K–$500K income (NYC residents) 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
🦌 WY TAX
🗽 NY TAX
SAVINGS
10-YEAR
$50,000
$0 income tax; ~$1,140 property (0.57% × $200K home); ~$1,340 sales (5.36% × $25K spending) = ~$2,480 total
~$2,150 NY state income tax; +~$1,540 NYC local tax = ~$3,690 combined income tax; ~$3,460 property (1.73% × $200K); ~$2,130 sales (8.52% × $25K) = ~$9,280 total (NYC resident)
WY saves ~$6,800/yr vs NYC at $50K income
$68,000
$100,000
$0 income tax; ~$1,710 property (0.57% × $300K home); ~$2,144 sales (5.36% × $40K) = ~$3,854 total
~$4,466 NY state income tax; +~$3,450 NYC local tax = ~$7,916 combined income tax; ~$5,190 property (1.73% × $300K); ~$3,408 sales (8.52% × $40K) = ~$16,514 total (NYC resident)
WY saves ~$12,660/yr vs NYC at $100K income
$126,600
$150,000
$0 income tax; ~$2,280 property (0.57% × $400K home); ~$3,216 sales (5.36% × $60K) = ~$5,496 total
~$7,950 NY state income tax; +~$5,350 NYC local tax = ~$13,300 combined income tax; ~$6,920 property (1.73% × $400K); ~$5,112 sales (8.52% × $60K) = ~$25,332 total (NYC resident)
WY saves ~$19,836/yr vs NYC at $150K income
$198,360
$250,000
$0 income tax; ~$3,420 property (0.57% × $600K home); ~$5,360 sales (5.36% × $100K) = ~$8,780 total
~$14,200 NY state income tax; +~$8,900 NYC local tax = ~$23,100 combined income tax; ~$10,380 property (1.73% × $600K); ~$8,520 sales (8.52% × $100K) = ~$42,000 total (NYC resident)
WY saves ~$33,220/yr vs NYC at $250K income
$332,200
$500K capital gain
$0 state capital gains tax (Wyoming has no income or capital gains tax)
~$31,300 NY state tax on capital gain; +~$19,380 NYC surcharge = ~$50,680 combined state+city capital gains tax (New York taxes capital gains as ordinary income at up to 10.9% state + 3.876% NYC)
WY saves ~$50,680 on each $500K capital gain event (NYC resident)
Depends on frequency of gain events
💡

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 between states means a complex multi-state tax return. Taxhub matches you with a real CPA via video call — average cost $325. Rated 4.8★ by 3,700+ clients.

⚠ 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 →

🦌

Wyoming Pros & Cons

+ PROS
  • No income tax — Wyoming residents pay $0 state income tax on wages, salaries, investment income, business income, and retirement distributions at any income level; no exemptions needed because there is no tax
  • No capital gains tax — Wyoming charges $0 state tax on stock sales, real estate gains, business sale proceeds, and cryptocurrency gains; New York City residents pay up to 14.776% on the same gains
  • Very low property tax — Wyoming's ~0.57% effective rate is one of the lowest in the US and less than one-third of New York's 1.73% average; a $500,000 home costs $2,850/year in Wyoming vs $8,650/year in New York
  • No estate tax — Wyoming has no state estate tax; New York imposes an estate tax on estates above $6.94 million (2026) at rates up to 16%; the 'cliff effect' in NY's estate tax can cause substantial additional liability
  • Pioneer LLC and trust laws — Wyoming invented the LLC and has robust asset protection; Wyoming Domestic Asset Protection Trusts (WY DAPTs), strong charging order protections, and no public beneficial owner registry make it a top domicile for business and wealth structures
  • Mineral Trust Fund stability — Wyoming's $9B+ sovereign wealth fund from energy royalties provides structural fiscal buffer against tax increases; Wyoming has maintained no-income-tax status across every economic cycle
− CONS
  • Harsh winter climate — Wyoming's winters are severe statewide; Cheyenne averages 57 inches of snow annually; temperatures regularly drop below -10°F; very different from New York City's milder winters and dense urban infrastructure
  • Small population and limited amenities — Wyoming has under 600,000 residents; limited cultural infrastructure, specialist healthcare, entertainment, dining, and professional networking compared to New York City metro (20M+ people)
  • Higher cost of living in resort areas — Jackson Hole and Teton County are among the most expensive real estate markets in the US; affordable Wyoming is primarily rural; NYC expats targeting Cheyenne or Casper find affordable housing but limited urban lifestyle
  • Limited professional job market — Wyoming's economy concentrates in energy, agriculture, and tourism; the professional employment market is a fraction of New York's; most Wyoming movers are remote workers or self-employed
  • Higher combined sales tax than upstate NY — Wyoming's 5.36% combined sales tax is higher than some upstate New York counties (though substantially lower than NYC's 8.875%)
🗽

New York Pros & Cons

+ PROS
  • Unmatched economic opportunity — New York City is the largest financial center in the world; proximity to Wall Street, media, tech, fashion, law, and medicine; unrivalled professional networking and career advancement for high earners
  • World-class infrastructure and public transit — New York City's subway, commuter rail, and international airports provide connectivity that Wyoming cannot match; no car required in NYC
  • Cultural and lifestyle richness — NYC offers world-class museums, restaurants, theatre, sports, and international diversity; New York State also offers the Hudson Valley, Adirondacks, and Hamptons as lifestyle destinations
  • Upstate affordability — Outside NYC, New York State has large affordable metro areas: Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, and Syracuse have housing costs well below the national average; upstate state income tax rates (without NYC surcharge) are 4–6.85% — substantial but lower than NYC's combined rates
  • Strong tenant and consumer protections — New York's legal and regulatory environment provides significant protections for renters and consumers that Wyoming, as a more laissez-faire state, does not offer
− CONS
  • Extremely high combined income tax — NYC residents face state income tax (4–10.9%) plus NYC surcharge (3.078–3.876%); combined top rate of 14.776% is the second-highest combined rate in the US; even at $100K income, NYC residents pay ~$7,916 in combined state+city income tax vs $0 in Wyoming
  • Capital gains taxed as ordinary income — New York taxes capital gains at the same progressive rates as ordinary income (up to 10.9% state + 3.876% NYC surcharge); no preferential capital gains rate exists; Wyoming charges $0
  • Highest property taxes in the US — New York's 1.73% effective rate is among the highest nationally; a $750,000 NYC-area home generates ~$13,000/year in property taxes vs ~$4,275 in Wyoming at the same value
  • State estate tax — New York's estate tax applies to estates above $6.94M (2026) at rates from 3.06% to 16%; the 'cliff effect' means estates slightly above the threshold pay tax on the entire estate, not just the excess; Wyoming has no estate tax
  • High cost of living overall — Manhattan median rent exceeds $4,000/month; even outer boroughs and suburban New York rank among the most expensive housing markets nationally; the income tax burden compounds the cost-of-living burden
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Wyoming have an income tax?

No. Wyoming has never enacted a personal income tax. There is no constitutional prohibition, but the legislature has consistently declined to create one across every economic cycle. Wyoming funds state services through mineral severance revenues (oil, gas, coal royalties), a $9+ billion Mineral Trust Fund, property taxes, and sales taxes. Wyoming residents pay $0 state income tax on wages, investment income, business income, capital gains, and retirement distributions.

How much less tax do you pay in Wyoming vs New York City?

At $100,000 income, a NYC resident pays approximately $7,916 in combined state + city income tax vs $0 in Wyoming — a saving of ~$7,900/year. At $250,000, the saving exceeds $23,000/year. At $500,000, Wyoming saves approximately $40,000+ per year vs NYC. Property taxes also differ significantly: Wyoming averages 0.57% vs New York's 1.73%, saving a further $5,000–$10,000/year on a typical home. Total combined savings (income + property) for a $250K earner in NYC vs Wyoming can exceed $40,000/year.

What is New York's income tax rate in 2026?

New York State has nine progressive income tax brackets in 2026 ranging from 4% to 10.9%. The top 10.9% rate applies only to income above $25 million. For most high earners, the top bracket is 6.85% (on income from $215,400 to $1,077,550) or 9.65% (on income from $1,077,550 to $5,000,000). NYC residents pay an additional 3.078–3.876% city surcharge, bringing combined rates to as high as 14.776%. Upstate New York residents pay only the state rates.

Is New York City tax included in New York state tax?

No. The NYC income tax is a separate surcharge on top of New York State tax. NYC residents pay both: New York State income tax (4–10.9%) plus NYC local income tax (3.078–3.876% depending on income level). At $100,000 income, this totals approximately $7,916 combined. Non-NYC New York State residents (upstate, Long Island, Westchester) do not pay the NYC surcharge — they pay only state rates, approximately $4,466 at $100,000 income.

Does Wyoming have a capital gains tax?

No. Wyoming has no income tax of any kind, including no capital gains tax. Wyoming residents pay $0 state tax on stock sales, real estate gains, cryptocurrency gains, and business sale proceeds. New York taxes capital gains as ordinary income at state rates up to 10.9%, and NYC residents pay an additional surcharge up to 3.876% — up to 14.776% combined. A $500,000 capital gain event generates approximately $50,680 in state+city tax for a NYC resident vs $0 in Wyoming.

Does New York have an estate tax in 2026?

Yes. New York imposes a state estate tax on estates above the state exemption of $6.94 million (2026). Rates range from 3.06% to 16%. New York's estate tax has a notable 'cliff effect': if an estate's value exceeds 105% of the exemption, the entire estate (not just the excess) is subject to tax — potentially creating a significant tax liability for estates just above the threshold. Wyoming has no state estate tax. Federal estate tax applies in both states above the federal exemption (~$13.99M in 2026).

Is Wyoming good for remote workers from New York?

Yes — especially for high earners. A remote worker earning $200,000 who relocates from NYC to Wyoming saves approximately $18,000+ per year in income taxes. Wyoming's tax savings compound: no state income tax, lower property taxes, and no capital gains tax all stack. The primary trade-off is lifestyle: Wyoming lacks NYC's density, cultural amenities, and professional networking. Cheyenne and Casper offer affordable living; Jackson is expensive. For fully remote workers who don't need NYC's career proximity, Wyoming offers among the highest after-tax income gains of any state-to-state move.

How do property taxes compare between Wyoming and New York?

Significantly different. Wyoming's effective property tax rate averages approximately 0.57% of market value. New York's statewide average is approximately 1.73% — three times Wyoming's rate. On a $500,000 home: Wyoming costs ~$2,850/year in property tax; New York costs ~$8,650/year. NYC property taxes are complex and vary by property type and assessed value, but effective rates on residential property in the city often exceed the statewide average for high-value properties. Property tax is a second major savings category for Wyoming movers beyond income tax.
From the brief
PT20%qualifying work, 10yr
IT€300kall foreign income, 15yr
GR7%foreign income, 15yr
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.