Texas: no state income tax
Texas is one of nine US states with zero state income tax (alongside Florida, Nevada, Tennessee, Washington, Wyoming, South Dakota, Alaska, and New Hampshire โ NH phases out on investment income by 2027). That means your Texas paycheck is federal + FICA + pre-tax deductions only.
The tradeoff: Texas property tax
Texas makes up for lack of income tax with the 8th highest property tax in the nation (1.68% average effective rate). A $400,000 Texas home = ~$6,700/year in property tax vs ~$1,200 in Colorado at similar home value. Budget accordingly โ especially with Texas's 10% annual assessment cap being tested by rising values.
Texas local taxes
- No city income tax โ Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio all zero
- Sales tax: 6.25% state + up to 2% local (usually 8.25% total in cities)
- Franchise tax: Only for LLCs/corps earning $1.23M+ in revenue (doesn't hit W-2 workers)