Oregon vs Washington: Take-Home Pay Compared (2026)
How much more (or less) do you keep after tax in Oregon versus Washington? This compares estimated take-home pay for a single filer in 2026 — federal income tax, FICA and state income tax — at four salary levels.
Washington leaves about $7,920 more per year in take-home pay ($660/month) at this salary.
Oregon vs Washington take-home pay by salary (2026)
| Gross / yr | OR take-home | WA take-home | Difference / yr | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $38,810 | $42,355 | $3,545 | WA |
| $75,000 | $55,860 | $61,593 | $5,733 | WA |
| $100,000 | $71,260 | $79,180 | $7,920 | WA |
| $150,000 | $101,242 | $113,791 | $12,549 | WA |
Single filer, standard deduction, 2026. Take-home = gross − federal income tax − FICA − state income tax. Excludes local taxes, deductions and credits.
Why the difference?
The gap is almost entirely state income tax. Washington levies no state income tax on wages, while Oregon applies a state income tax up to 9.9%. Federal income tax and FICA are identical in both states, so every dollar Oregon withholds for state tax is take-home pay you would keep in Washington. The difference grows as your salary rises into Oregon's higher brackets.
Remember this is tax only. Cost of living, housing, property tax and sales tax can move the real-world comparison a long way in either direction — a smaller paycheck can still stretch further where things are cheaper.
Estimate Figures are 2026 estimates for a single filer taking the standard deduction, computed with the same engine as our full paycheck calculators. They exclude local city/county income taxes, pre-tax deductions (401k/HSA), and credits. Confirm with the IRS and each state's tax authority before relying on any figure.
Run the full numbers
Want your exact salary, pay frequency and a full tax breakdown? Open either state’s paycheck calculator:
Frequently asked questions
Do you take home more in Oregon or Washington?
On a $100,000 salary, a single filer keeps an estimated $71,260 in Oregon versus $79,180 in Washington — so Washington leaves about $7,920 more per year (Oregon keeps less). The gap changes with salary; see the table above for $50k–$150k.
Why is take-home pay different in Oregon vs Washington?
The gap is almost entirely state income tax. Washington levies no state income tax on wages, while Oregon applies a state income tax up to 9.9%. Federal income tax and FICA are identical in both states, so every dollar Oregon withholds for state tax is take-home pay you would keep in Washington. The difference grows as your salary rises into Oregon's higher brackets.
Does Oregon or Washington have a state income tax?
Oregon does tax wages — a state income tax up to 9.9%. Washington has no state income tax on wages. Federal income tax and FICA apply in both states either way.
Does this Oregon vs Washington comparison include cost of living?
No. This compares take-home pay after taxes only — federal income tax, FICA and state income tax for a single filer taking the standard deduction. It does not factor in cost of living, housing, property tax, sales tax or local income taxes, which can be just as important when comparing two states. Treat the numbers as a tax-only estimate.
Is this Oregon vs Washington take-home comparison accurate?
It is a 2026 estimate for a single filer with the standard deduction and no dependants or credits, using the same engine as our full paycheck calculators. Real take-home depends on filing status, pre-tax deductions (401k/HSA), local taxes and credits. Verify with the IRS and each state's tax authority before making a decision.