Side-by-side tax comparison between Utah (4.65% top rate) and Washington (no income tax).
| Salary | Utah | Washington | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50K | $40,554 | $42,298 | +$1,744 | Washington |
| $75K | $58,687 | $61,303 | +$2,616 | Washington |
| $100K | $75,403 | $78,890 | +$3,488 | Washington |
| $150K | $108,215 | $113,446 | +$5,231 | Washington |
| $200K | $142,128 | $149,103 | +$6,975 | Washington |
Washington offers higher take-home pay at every salary level. With no state income tax, Washington gives you a significant advantage over Utah's 4.65% top rate. At $100K, the difference is $3,488/year — that’s $291/month.
However, cost of living matters. Utah has a cost index of 99 while Washington is at 110. After adjusting for cost of living, the gap narrows significantly.