Quick answer
The top 3 zero state income tax cities in 2026 are 1) Memphis, 2) Spokane, 3) San Antonio. No state income tax in TN. 1BR rent $980/mo · median home $195K.
Ranking · 2026
Best Cities with No State Income Tax (2026)
Eight US states levy no state income tax. On a $100K salary that's roughly $4,500–$9,000/year you keep. Below are the major metro areas in those states, ranked by 1BR rent (cheapest first).
Last updated: April 23, 2026
The Top 20
- 1
Memphis, TN
$980/mo · no state tax
No state income tax in TN. 1BR rent $980/mo · median home $195K.
- 2
Spokane, WA
$1,100/mo · no state tax
No state income tax in WA. 1BR rent $1,100/mo · median home $360K.
- 3
San Antonio, TX
$1,180/mo · no state tax
No state income tax in TX. 1BR rent $1,180/mo · median home $285K.
- 4
Knoxville, TN
$1,200/mo · no state tax
No state income tax in TN. 1BR rent $1,200/mo · median home $280K.
- 5
Tallahassee, FL
$1,200/mo · no state tax
No state income tax in FL. 1BR rent $1,200/mo · median home $270K.
- 6
Anchorage, AK
$1,200/mo · no state tax
No state income tax in AK. 1BR rent $1,200/mo · median home $385K.
- 7
Chattanooga, TN
$1,250/mo · no state tax
No state income tax in TN. 1BR rent $1,250/mo · median home $295K.
- 8
Houston, TX
$1,280/mo · no state tax
No state income tax in TX. 1BR rent $1,280/mo · median home $305K.
- 9
Fort Worth, TX
$1,280/mo · no state tax
No state income tax in TX. 1BR rent $1,280/mo · median home $340K.
- 10
Jacksonville, FL
$1,280/mo · no state tax
No state income tax in FL. 1BR rent $1,280/mo · median home $310K.
- 11
Las Vegas, NV
$1,350/mo · no state tax
No state income tax in NV. 1BR rent $1,350/mo · median home $415K.
- 12
Dallas, TX
$1,450/mo · no state tax
No state income tax in TX. 1BR rent $1,450/mo · median home $380K.
- 13
Reno, NV
$1,450/mo · no state tax
No state income tax in NV. 1BR rent $1,450/mo · median home $460K.
- 14
Nashville, TN
$1,520/mo · no state tax
No state income tax in TN. 1BR rent $1,520/mo · median home $445K.
- 15
Orlando, FL
$1,580/mo · no state tax
No state income tax in FL. 1BR rent $1,580/mo · median home $370K.
- 16
Austin, TX
$1,650/mo · no state tax
No state income tax in TX. 1BR rent $1,650/mo · median home $548K.
- 17
Tampa, FL
$1,680/mo · no state tax
No state income tax in FL. 1BR rent $1,680/mo · median home $390K.
- 18
St. Petersburg, FL
$1,700/mo · no state tax
No state income tax in FL. 1BR rent $1,700/mo · median home $420K.
- 19
Seattle, WA
$2,100/mo · no state tax
No state income tax in WA. 1BR rent $2,100/mo · median home $780K.
- 20
Miami, FL
$2,200/mo · no state tax
No state income tax in FL. 1BR rent $2,200/mo · median home $635K.
Methodology
We filtered to cities with 0% state income tax and ranked by 1BR rent, cheapest first. All cities on this list let a $100K salary keep $4,500+/year that would otherwise go to state tax in California, New York, or Oregon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What states have no income tax in 2026?
Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Nevada, Washington, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Alaska have no state income tax. New Hampshire only taxes dividends and interest (not W-2 wages), and is often included on this list.
Is it actually cheaper to live in a no-income-tax state?
Usually yes, but not always. Texas and Florida offset no income tax with high property taxes (1.8–2.2% annually vs 0.7% in CA). For renters, no state income tax is a clean win. For homeowners, the math depends on home price and property tax rate — Texas property taxes on a $400K home run $7,000–9,000/year.
Which no-tax city has the lowest cost of living?
Among no-tax major metros, Memphis, TN has the lowest 1-bedroom rent at around $900/mo with median home prices under $180K. Jacksonville, FL and San Antonio, TX also have very low housing costs relative to other major metros.
Can I move to a no-tax state and keep my remote job?
Generally yes. Once you establish residency (usually by switching your driver's license, voter registration, and spending the majority of the year there), your new state is your tax state. Your employer will update withholding once you notify HR. Exceptions: states like New York apply a "convenience rule" that can tax remote workers whose employer is NY-based even if they live elsewhere.
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