California vs Ohio Income Tax — 2026
California has 10 rates from 1% to 13.3%, including a surtax above $1,000,000; Ohio charges a flat 2.75% above a 0% band on the first $26,050.
California allows a $5,900 standard deduction and a $158 personal exemption credit for a single filer; Ohio allows a $1,900 personal exemption for a single filer.
Ohio also has local income taxes in some places; California has none.
A single filer earning $100,000 pays $2,597 less per year in Ohio than in California — $216 a month. California charges $4,911; Ohio charges $2,313.
How the two systems differ
| California | Ohio | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax structure | Graduated | Flat rate |
| Top rate (any income) | 13.3% | 2.75% |
| Number of brackets | 10 | 1 |
| Standard deduction (single) | $5,900 | None |
| Personal exemption | $158 credit | $1,900 |
| Local income taxes | No | Yes |
| Capital gains | Taxed as ordinary income | Taxed as ordinary income |
| Population (2024) | 39,431,263 | 11,883,304 |
More on California and Ohio
The bill at every income
Single filer, standard deduction, no dependents. State income tax only.
| Gross income | California tax | Ohio tax | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $973 | $938 | $35 less in OH |
| $75,000 | $2,665 | $1,626 | $1,039 less in OH |
| $100,000 | $4,911 | $2,313 | $2,597 less in OH |
| $150,000 | $9,561 | $3,688 | $5,872 less in OH |
| $250,000 | $18,861 | $6,438 | $12,422 less in OH |
| $500,000 | $43,543 | $13,313 | $30,229 less in OH |
| $1,000,000 | $102,301 | $27,063 | $75,238 less in OH |
By filing status
| Filing status | California | Ohio | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | $4,911 | $2,313 | $2,597 less in OH |
| Married filing jointly | $1,946 | $2,261 | $315 less in CA |
| Married filing separately | $4,911 | $2,313 | $2,597 less in OH |
| Head of household | $2,449 | $2,313 | $136 less in OH |
Change the assumptions
Adjust income and filing status, or swap either state. The URL updates so you can share the exact comparison.
At $100,000 as a single filer, Ohio costs $2,597 less per year than California — $216 a month.
| California | Ohio | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| State income tax | $4,911 | $2,313 | $2,597 |
| Per month | $409 | $193 | $216 |
| Effective rate | 4.91% | 2.31% | 2.60 pts |
| Marginal rate | 9.3% | 2.75% | 6.55 pts |
| Standard deduction | $5,900 | $0 | $5,900 |
| Taxable income | $94,100 | $98,100 | $4,000 |
| Tax structure | Graduated | Flat rate | |
| Local income taxes | No | Yes |
Local taxes are not included above. Ohio has localities that levy their own income tax on top of the state figure. See each state page for the rates that apply.
Full detail: California · Ohio · methodology
Local income taxes change this picture
What this comparison leaves out
Sources for both states
- 1.California Franchise Tax BoardState revenue departmentTax News, October 2026 — 2026 IndexingRetrieved
- 2.Tax FoundationResearch organization (cross-check)State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026Retrieved
- 3.Ohio Laws and Administrative Rules (Legislative Service Commission)State statuteOhio Revised Code 5747.02 - Tax rates (effective September 30, 2025, H.B. 96)Retrieved · Division (A)(3)(c): "For taxable years beginning in 2026 and thereafter, $332.00 plus 2.75% of the amount in excess of $26,050."
- 4.Ohio Department of TaxationState revenue department2026 Ohio Estimated Income Tax Payment Worksheet and Instructions (IT 1040 ES)Retrieved · Confirms the 2026 exemption figure used ($1,900 per exemption, zero at MAGI of $500,000 or more). Its printed rate table is still the 2025 table.
Figures on this page were last checked against these sources on . Found something wrong? Report it.