How Virginia Taxes Your Paycheck
Virginia's income tax is technically progressive, but its top 5.75% rate kicks in at just $17,000 of taxable income — meaning any full-time worker earning above poverty wages is paying the top rate on the bulk of their income. In practice, Virginia functions as a near-flat 5.75% state. A single filer earning $80,000 in 2026 pays about $3,800 in state income tax — roughly 4.8% of gross.
Bracket compression is the defining feature. The four Virginia brackets (2%, 3%, 5%, 5.75%) all sit below $17,000 of taxable income. By the time most workers hit their first full paycheck, they're already in the top bracket. The progressive label is real, but functionally most middle-income Virginians experience a flat tax — and the state's revenue mix reflects that.
Modest standard deduction plus a small personal exemption. Virginia's 2026 standard deduction is $8,500 single, plus a $930 personal exemption per filer. Combined, that shields about $9,430 of wages — meaningful, but smaller than the federal $16,100 standard deduction, so state-taxable income is higher than federal-taxable income at the same gross.
No local income tax, no SDI, no PFML. Virginia has no city or county wage tax — including in Richmond, Norfolk, and the densely populated Northern Virginia suburbs. There is no state-funded short-term disability or paid family leave program. The state line on your paystub is the entire state-side wage tax bill.
NoVA distorts the median. Northern Virginia (Fairfax, Arlington, Loudoun) is one of the highest-income regions in the country, anchored by federal contracting, defense, and tech. The rest of the state's economy — Richmond's banking and historical tobacco roots, Hampton Roads' military presence, Charlottesville's universities and wineries — looks very different from NoVA's. State median income hides a sharp regional skew.
Cross-river comparison: Maryland. Workers crossing the Potomac into Maryland face a 4.75% state rate plus a county piggyback tax (typically 2.25%–3.2%) — combined burden often higher than Virginia's clean 5.75%. The DC-area state-shopping decision frequently lands on Virginia for this reason, even before considering DC's own local income tax for residents.
For most full-time Virginia workers, the state tax math is a clean 5.75% on most of your income — competitive nationally, and uncomplicated by local layers. The decisions that move the needle are housing and commute, not tax structure.
Top Cities in Virginia
The largest population centers in Virginia:
- Virginia Beach — 455,000 residents
- Chesapeake — 251,000 residents
- Richmond — 226,000 residents
- Norfolk — 232,000 residents
How Virginia Compares to Neighboring States
Single-filer take-home on a $75,000 annual salary in 2026, federal + state income tax + FICA only:
| State | Take-Home | vs. Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia (here) | $58,080 | — |
| Maryland | $58,394 | +$314 |
| West Virginia | $58,912 | +$833 |
| Kentucky | $59,082 | +$1,002 |
| Tennessee | $61,593 | +$3,513 |
| North Carolina | $59,109 | +$1,029 |
Take-home reflects single filer, no pre-tax deductions; SDI/PFML and local taxes excluded for an apples-to-apples comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the Virginia state income tax rate?
Virginia has progressive income tax brackets ranging from 2% to 5.75%. Most middle-income earners hit the middle brackets; the top rate applies only above $17,000.
How much is taken out of my paycheck in Virginia?
For a single filer earning $75,000 in Virginia (2026), expect roughly $7,670 in federal income tax, $5,738 in FICA, and $3,513 in Virginia state tax — leaving about $58,080 take-home (22.6% effective tax rate). SDI/PFML and local taxes (if any) come out of that as well.
Is the Virginia median household income enough to live comfortably?
The 2023 ACS reported a Virginia median household income of about $92,100. Whether that's "comfortable" depends heavily on city — Virginia Beach cost of living can differ substantially from rural areas. Use the calculator above to model your specific salary and deductions.
How does this Virginia paycheck calculator work?
We calculate your annualized gross pay based on the pay frequency you select, then apply the 2025 or 2026 IRS percentage method for federal income tax, the Virginia state tax schedule (if any), Social Security, and Medicare. Pre-tax deductions like 401(k) and Section 125 health premiums reduce your taxable base before withholding is computed. You can switch between salary and hourly modes; hourly mode applies time-and-a-half to hours over 40/week prorated by pay period.