California has a top income tax rate of 13.3%, the 7th highest combined sales tax (9.03%) and a $16.90 minimum wage as of 2026.
$10,928 a year: that is roughly what a California homeowner earning $75,000 pays in state income tax ($2,941), sales tax on $25,000 of purchases ($2,258), property tax on a $300,000 house ($2,100) and electricity at 900 kWh a month ($3,630).
California uses a graduated scale with 10 rates, topping out at 13.3%. Single filers' standard deduction: $5,540. On $50,000 of wages, a single filer's California tax works out to about $1,202 (2.4% of wages); on $100,000 it is about $5,223 (5.2%). Source: Tax Foundation, January 1, 2026.
| Rate | Single filers | Married filing jointly |
|---|---|---|
| 1% | over $0 | over $0 |
| 2% | over $11,079 | over $22,158 |
| 4% | over $26,264 | over $52,528 |
| 6% | over $41,452 | over $82,904 |
| 8% | over $57,542 | over $115,084 |
| 9.3% | over $72,724 | over $145,448 |
| 10.3% | over $371,479 | over $742,958 |
| 11.3% | over $445,771 | over $891,542 |
| 12.3% | over $742,953 | over $1,000,000 |
| 13.3% | over $1,000,000 | over $1,485,906 |
Estimated 2026 take-home pay for a single filer with no pre-tax deductions, using the federal brackets and $16,100 standard deduction, Social Security and Medicare, and California's brackets above. Open the paycheck calculator set to California to add a 401(k), change pay frequency or filing status.
| Salary | Federal tax | FICA | State tax | Take-home (year) | Per biweekly check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $3,820 | $3,825 | $1,202 | $41,153 | $1,583 |
| $75,000 | $7,670 | $5,738 | $2,941 | $58,652 | $2,256 |
| $100,000 | $13,170 | $7,650 | $5,223 | $73,957 | $2,844 |
The state rate is 7.25% and local governments add 1.78% on average, for a combined 9.03%, 7th highest of the 50 states and D.C. (median 7.00%). A $1,000 purchase carries about $90 in sales tax at the average combined rate. Source: Tax Foundation, July 1, 2026.
The California minimum wage is $16.90 an hour, 4th highest in the country, or $35,152 a year for full-time work, $20,072 more than the federal $7.25. Source: U.S. Department of Labor, July 1, 2026.
Homeowners in California paid property taxes equal to 0.70% of home value on average, the 20th lowest effective rate (median state 0.79%). On a $300,000 home that is about $2,100 a year, or $175 a month in escrow. Source: Tax Foundation (Census ACS data), 2024 data.
Residential electricity averaged 33.61¢ per kWh in July 2026, the 2nd highest of the 50 states and D.C. (median 16.09¢). A household using 900 kWh a month would pay about $302 before fixed charges. Source: U.S. EIA, July 2026 data.
Among the 3 states it borders, California has the highest combined sales tax of its neighbors (9.03%), the highest top income tax rate of its neighbors (13.3%), the highest minimum wage of its neighbors ($16.90) and the highest electricity price of its neighbors (33.61¢).
| State | Top income tax | Sales tax | Min. wage | Property tax | Electricity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 13.3% | 9.03% | $16.90 | 0.70% | 33.61¢ |
| Arizona | 2.5% | 8.54% | $15.15 | 0.48% | 15.38¢ |
| Nevada | None | 8.24% | $12.00 | 0.50% | 12.77¢ |
| Oregon | 9.9% | 0.00% | $15.55 | 0.81% | 15.97¢ |
California figures use statewide averages and skip credits, exemptions and local income taxes; check California revenue and labor department sites before filing or hiring.