Side-by-side tax comparison between Massachusetts (5% top rate) and Washington (no income tax).
| Salary | Massachusetts | Washington | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50K | $40,423 | $42,298 | +$1,875 | Washington |
| $75K | $58,490 | $61,303 | +$2,813 | Washington |
| $100K | $75,140 | $78,890 | +$3,750 | Washington |
| $150K | $107,821 | $113,446 | +$5,625 | Washington |
| $200K | $141,603 | $149,103 | +$7,500 | Washington |
Washington offers higher take-home pay at every salary level. With no state income tax, Washington gives you a significant advantage over Massachusetts's 5% top rate. At $100K, the difference is $3,750/year — that’s $313/month.
However, cost of living matters. Massachusetts has a cost index of 118 while Washington is at 110. With similar costs of living, the tax difference is the main factor.