Side-by-side tax comparison between Alaska (no income tax) and New York (10.9% top rate, graduated). See which state lets you keep more at every salary level, and how cost of living changes the picture.
Alaska has no state income tax, while New York uses a graduated system with rates of 4-10.9% + NYC local. On a $100K salary, this creates a state tax difference of $8,585/year that Alaska residents simply don’t pay.
New York’s graduated brackets mean the gap between these two states widens at higher salaries. At $200K, the state tax difference grows to $17,170/year, while at $50K it’s only $4,293.
Alaska wins at 10 out of 10 salary levels tested. The advantage is consistent and significant across the income spectrum.
| Salary | Alaska | New York | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40K | $34,320 | $30,886 | −$3,434 | Alaska |
| $50K | $42,355 | $38,063 | −$4,293 | Alaska |
| $60K | $50,390 | $45,239 | −$5,151 | Alaska |
| $75K | $61,538 | $55,099 | −$6,439 | Alaska |
| $100K | $79,125 | $70,540 | −$8,585 | Alaska |
| $120K | $93,195 | $82,893 | −$10,302 | Alaska |
| $150K | $113,751 | $100,874 | −$12,878 | Alaska |
| $200K | $148,887 | $131,717 | −$17,170 | Alaska |
| $250K | $183,264 | $161,802 | −$21,463 | Alaska |
| $300K | $215,329 | $189,574 | −$25,755 | Alaska |
Take-home pay only tells part of the story. Alaska has a cost of living index of 127 while New York is at 125 (national average = 100).
With similar costs of living (127 vs 125), the tax difference is the primary factor. What you see in raw take-home pay is essentially what you get in purchasing power: $62,303 in Alaska vs $56,432 in New York.
For a single earner at $100K filing jointly, take-home becomes $84,710 in Alaska and $76,125 in New York \u2014 a difference of $8,585. The gap remains similar regardless of filing status.
On paper, moving from New York to Alaska would save $8,585/year on a $100K salary, or $42,925 over 5 years. But relocation involves real costs: moving expenses, potentially buying/selling a home, changing jobs, and adjusting to a new community.
With an annual savings of $8,585, the tax difference alone is significant enough to justify a move for many people — especially if career opportunities are comparable. At higher salaries, the savings grow even larger: a $200K earner would save $17,170/year.