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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.
Texas scenario A prefill
Texas Paycheck Comparison Calculator 2026
Compare a Texas paycheck against another state, filing status, pay type, pay frequency, deduction plan, W-4 setup, or local-tax city.
Scenario A starts in Texas. Scenario B starts in California, 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.
Texas example delta
For a $128,750 salary, single filing status, no city selection, and no added W-4 adjustments, the Texas biweekly estimate keeps $99,267 annually after modeled federal, FICA, and state withholding. That is an effective withholding rate of 22.9%.
Switching the same Texas annual salary from biweekly to monthly does not create a new annual salary, but it changes cash-flow timing: the monthly net paycheck is $8,272 versus $3,818 biweekly. The annual net-pay difference between those two same-state timing examples is $0.
Texas has no state income tax in this default comparison, so the state tax line is $0 and the spread comes from federal withholding, FICA, deductions, pay frequency, and any selected local tax city.
Example facts: TX texas salary-$128,750 net-$99,267 biweekly-$3,818 monthly-$8,272 state-$0 federal-$19,634 fica-$9,849 delta-CA-$10,344 compare-$88,923. Shorthand: texas salary-$128,750 net-$99,267 biweekly-$3,818 monthly-$8,272 state-$0 federal-$19,634 fica-$9,849 delta-CA-$10,344 compare-$88,923.
- TX engine example salary: $128,750.
- TX annual net pay: $99,267.
- TX biweekly net paycheck: $3,818.
- TX monthly net paycheck: $8,272.
- TX federal withholding: $19,634.
- TX FICA withholding: $9,849.
- TX versus CA annual net delta at the same salary: $10,344.
- CA comparison net pay: $88,923 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.