Taxes
Alabama vs California: Total Tax Burden
Alabama has a lower total tax burden than California.
7.93%
Total state and local tax burden (property, income, and sales and excise taxes) as a percentage of personal income (WalletHub 2026).
California
CA · West
9.24%
Total state and local tax burden (property, income, and sales and excise taxes) as a percentage of personal income (WalletHub 2026).
Difference: 1.31 percentage points — Alabama leads.
National Rankings
Where They Rank Nationally
See where both states fall among all 50 states for total tax burden.
Alabama
#18 · 7.93%
California
#40 · 9.24%
Best
Worst
10 Best States — Total Tax Burden
Lower is better
#1
Alaska
4.92%
Alaska
#2
New Hampshire
5.38%
New Hampshire
#3
Tennessee
6.21%
Tennessee
#4
Florida
6.27%
Florida
#5
Delaware
6.28%
Delaware
#6
South Dakota
6.38%
South Dakota
#7
Wyoming
6.70%
Wyoming
#8
North Dakota
7.02%
North Dakota
#9
Idaho
7.04%
Idaho
#10
Oklahoma
7.05%
Oklahoma
Selected states
#18
Alabama
7.93%
Alabama
#40
California
9.24%
California
Alabama ranks 18th and California ranks 40th nationally for total tax burden.
What this means
Alabama vs California: Total Tax Burden in context
Alabama's total tax burden is 7.93%, compared with 9.24% in California. Total state and local tax burden (property, income, and sales and excise taxes) as a percentage of personal income (WalletHub 2026).
Alabama
7.93%
California
9.24%
Difference
1.31 percentage points
People also ask
Alabama vs California Total Tax Burden — common questions
QWhat is Alabama's total tax burden?
Alabama's total tax burden is 7.93%.
QWhat is California's total tax burden?
California's total tax burden is 9.24%.
QWhich state has a lower total tax burden — Alabama or California?
Alabama has a lower total tax burden than California.
More comparisons: Alabama vs California
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Data source and freshness
Primary source
Data period
2026 comparison
Dataset reviewed
July 23, 2026
Method note
Comparison estimate; tax bills vary by income, property, locality, and deductions.