Virginia vs. Tennessee Paycheck Comparison [2026]
Compare Virginia take-home pay against Tennessee's no-wage-tax profile, with West Virginia as an additional Mid-Atlantic reference.
At $85,000
On a $85,000 salary, Tennessee leaves the most: an estimated $68,628 a year. The gap across these 3 is $4,073, which is state income tax alone — before any difference in what it costs to live in each.
| Jurisdiction | State income tax | Take-home | Behind leader |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $4,073 | $64,554 | $4,073 |
| Tennessee | $0 | $68,628 | — |
| West Virginia | $3,004 | $65,624 | $3,004 |
Where this sits in Virginia's schedule
Virginia runs a graduated schedule of 4 bands. After $9,680 of state deductions it taxes $75,320, putting the top dollar in the 5.75% band and producing $4,073 of state tax — 4.79% of gross pay. That is the top band of the state schedule.
Tennessee takes no income tax on this
Tennessee levies no individual income tax on wages, so nothing is withheld for state income tax and the whole $85,000 is reduced by federal income tax and FICA alone. That also means the state share does not change as this salary rises — the only progression left in the figures above is federal.
Where this sits in West Virginia's schedule
West Virginia runs a graduated schedule of 5 bands. After $2,000 of state deductions it taxes $83,000, putting the top dollar in the 4.58% band and producing $3,004 of state tax — 3.53% of gross pay. That is the top band of the state schedule.
A single filer paid biweekly, no dependents and no 401(k) contribution, on 2026 rules reviewed through 2026-08-09. State income tax only — local and municipal taxes are excluded, as is cost of living. Use the calculator above for your own salary and filing status.
Common questions
Which state leaves you with more take-home pay, Virginia or Tennessee?
On a $85,000 single-filer salary, Tennessee leaves the most of these 3: an estimated $68,628 a year. The gap across all 3 is $4,073, and that is state income tax alone.
Does this comparison include cost of living?
No. The $4,073 gap here is state income tax on the same salary, before rent, housing, insurance or sales tax. Those routinely reverse the order: a jurisdiction that keeps more of a paycheck is frequently a more expensive place to spend it. Treat this as the tax half of the question.
What salary and filing status is this based on?
A single filer earning $85,000 a year with no dependants and no pre-tax deductions, using 2026 federal, FICA and state rules. A different salary changes the ranking, because states with graduated brackets move relative to flat-rate ones as income rises.