Surewhitey
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
It is a progressive tax so the 9.3% isn't on for full $115K for MFJ. It is on taxable income over $115K. After standard deductions, (no deductions like property tax or retirement savings), the tax on $115K, married filing jointly, would be more like $4K. With $40K in deductions, the state tax would be around $2K. DH and I both had six figure jobs in the past and never paid much in state taxes on our combined incomes, after deductions like retirement savings and mortgage interest.
Despite the narrative pushed by some media outlets, and some high profile exceptions, most of the people leaving California aren't the wealthy leaving because of high state taxes. It is the poor and middle class leaving because of high housing costs. There has been an influx of households making over $100K in recent years. The poorer households are going to Texas, which is what you are seeing. What you are not seeing is the wealthier residents coming to California from other states.
More Californians left for other states in 2018 | The Sacramento Bee (sacbee.com)
A 2017 Bee analysis found that people leaving California tended to be relatively poor, and many lacked college degrees. Higher up the income spectrum, slightly more people were coming than going
California saw the biggest net loss of residents to Texas, Arizona, Nevada and Oregon, according to the census estimates, which are drawn from its annual American Community Survey. It gained residents from much of the northeast United States, along with parts of the upper Midwest.
'Not the Golden State anymore': Middle- and low-income people leaving California | CalMatters
Middle and Low Income People Leaving California - U.S. Census Bureau numbers show that the middle- and lower class are leaving California at a higher rate than the wealthy. Many who left in recent years say they simply couldn't afford to stay...The majority of people leaving reported an annual income of less than $100,000. while the state has seen an influx of those making $100,000 and more.
Yeah, I understand the progressive aspect of taxation. Just saying that your tax bill ramps up pretty quickly when you exceed that # and many do.
We saw a shocking number for 4 years as our lifestyle is simple (no deductions) so we saw the full force of taxation out there. Not to mention gas, sales tax (9.5% on cars in LA), etc. The only thing we saw reduce was electricity as the weather is pretty perfect out there.
You definitely have to "pay to play" out there in my experience. Awesome place to live, just more costly.
Maybe we'll return when we retire...