Results ready on calculate
Configure both scenarios independently. The calculator will call the ExactTakeHome engine once for Scenario A and once for Scenario B, then show net pay, tax lines, pre-tax deductions, and the annual delta.
California scenario A prefill
California Paycheck Comparison Calculator 2026
Compare a California paycheck against another state, filing status, pay type, pay frequency, deduction plan, W-4 setup, or local-tax city.
Scenario A starts in California. Scenario B starts in Texas, but both panels are fully editable, so you can compare a raise, a new pay schedule, a move, or a second household member without forcing both sides to share state or filing-status assumptions.
California example delta
For a $80,000 salary, single filing status, no city selection, and no added W-4 adjustments, the California biweekly estimate keeps $60,387 annually after modeled federal, FICA, and state withholding. That is an effective withholding rate of 24.5%.
Switching the same California annual salary from biweekly to monthly does not create a new annual salary, but it changes cash-flow timing: the monthly net paycheck is $5,032 versus $2,323 biweekly. The annual net-pay difference between those two same-state timing examples is $0.
California state withholding is $4,723 in the $100,000 single-filer example, which is why state choice can move the annual net-pay delta even when both scenarios use the same gross pay.
Example facts: CA california salary-$80,000 net-$60,387 biweekly-$2,323 monthly-$5,032 state-$4,723 federal-$8,770 fica-$6,120 delta-TX--$4,723 compare-$65,110. Shorthand: california salary-$80,000 net-$60,387 biweekly-$2,323 monthly-$5,032 state-$4,723 federal-$8,770 fica-$6,120 delta-TX--$4,723 compare-$65,110.
- CA engine example salary: $80,000.
- CA annual net pay: $60,387.
- CA biweekly net paycheck: $2,323.
- CA monthly net paycheck: $5,032.
- CA federal withholding: $8,770.
- CA FICA withholding: $6,120.
- CA versus TX annual net delta at the same salary: -$4,723.
- TX comparison net pay: $65,110 annually.
State links for this comparison
Frequently asked questions
What does a paycheck comparison calculator compare?
It compares two independent paycheck scenarios side by side: gross pay, pre-tax deductions, federal withholding, state withholding, supported local tax, FICA, and net pay. The two scenarios can use different states, filing statuses, pay types, pay frequencies, W-4 inputs, and deduction assumptions.
Why show both annual and per-paycheck results?
Annual net pay shows the true tax impact over the year. Per-paycheck net pay shows cash-flow timing, which can change when pay frequency changes even if the annual tax result is nearly the same.
How do W-4 and deduction fields affect the delta?
Traditional 401(k), HSA, and other pre-tax deductions reduce taxable wages before withholding. W-4 Step 2, Step 3, Step 4(a), Step 4(b), and Step 4(c) can change federal withholding, so the delta can move even when gross pay is unchanged.
Is this a guaranteed paycheck amount?
No. Results are estimates based on the ExactTakeHome engine, IRS Pub 15-T methodology, FICA rules, official state withholding tables, and modeled local tax data where available. Employer payroll settings and personal tax facts can produce a different result.