S State Outlook
US RELOCATION EXPLORER 2026
Sources & methodology ↗

CLIMATE × CAREER × COST

Find your better forecast.

Compare winter warmth, state income taxes and earning power across 50 states.

Choose your comparison state

January temperature vs. income tax

Warmer to the right. Lower tax toward the bottom.

Temperature figures aggregate NOAA station normals; state terrain and metro climates vary.

Compare the states

Sort any column. Select a state for details.

State climate, tax and occupational wage comparison

Know what you’re comparing.

Disclaimer

State Outlook is for general information and comparison only. It does not provide financial, tax, legal, or career advice, or recommend where you should live or work.

Data reflect the source periods shown and may be incomplete, revised, or out of date. State averages and occupation proxies may not reflect your location, household, or role. Historical climate, wages, and employment projections do not guarantee future conditions, earnings, or job availability. Verify current information with the original sources and consult a qualified professional where appropriate before making decisions.

ONE INCOME · TWO HOUSEHOLDS

Monthly budget breakdown

Planning scenario, not a paycheck quote. Federal and payroll taxes use 2026 rules. Living costs are editable illustrative budgets; state tax uses an editable reserve, not a full state tax calculation. Potential savings can be negative.

Per month
Single adultSingle filer · no children
Family of 4Two adults, two children · married filing jointly · one earner

Adjust taxes, deductions & living costs

Edit either household independently. All expense inputs are monthly dollars for the selected state. Editing these amounts does not apply the COL adjustment again.

Monthly living costs

Expense
Single adult
Family of 4
How this estimate works & sources
  • Both households use the same one-earner W-2 salary. Adults are assumed under 65, with only wage income and the federal standard deduction. Annual tax liability is divided by 12; withholding, refunds, and pay frequency can differ.
  • Federal income tax uses 2026 IRS tax schedules and standard deductions of $16,100 (single) or $32,200 (joint). With eligibility checked, the family receives up to $4,400 in nonrefundable child tax credit, reduced above $400,000 of income. IRS 2026 adjustments · Eligibility.
  • Social Security and Medicare use employee rates, the 2026 Social Security wage cap, and filing-status thresholds for additional Medicare tax.
  • The state-tax reserve applies your chosen percentage to gross pay, without state brackets, deductions or credits. The starter rate comes from the dashboard’s state tax source. It may substantially overstate state income tax, while local taxes and state payroll premiums are excluded unless you add them. This is not a tax return calculation.
  • Living costs are State Outlook starter assumptions at US COL=100, scaled once by the selected state’s MERIC COL index. They are not government-published household spending estimates, local quotes, or a minimum living-wage budget. No inflation adjustment is applied. Adjust for your city, housing, health plan, debt, and childcare.
  • Other paycheck deductions are subtracted after modeled taxes; their possible tax benefits are not calculated. EITC, refundable child credits, itemized deductions, AMT, self-employment taxes, benefits, and other special tax rules are excluded. Health insurance belongs in either living costs or paycheck deductions, not both.
  • Potential savings = budgeted take-home − living costs. This is money remaining before any unlisted expenses or retirement savings. Values are rounded to dollars, so displayed rows may differ by $1. Inputs stay in this page and reset when the sheet is reopened.

For general comparison only, not financial or tax advice. Verify costs and taxes for your household before making decisions.