Side-by-side comparison of income tax, property tax, sales tax, capital gains, and retirement treatment between Virginia and North Carolina for tax year 2026. Use the calculator below to estimate how much you would save (or pay) after relocating.
| Tax | Virginia | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| State income tax (effective) | 5.75% | 4.50% |
| Long-term capital gains | 5.75% | 4.50% |
| Property tax (effective) | 0.81% | 0.73% |
| Combined sales tax | 5.77% | 6.99% |
| Retirement income | ss-exempt | fully-taxable |
| Income system | progressive | flat |
Virginia total tax
$21,057
North Carolina total tax
$19,821
Virginia state tax
$5,687
North Carolina state tax
$4,451
Difference
−$1,236
North Carolina saves you money
As % of income
1.03%
Federal tax is identical in both columns and excluded from the difference. Numbers use 2026 IRS brackets, state effective rates, and the 3.8% NIIT where applicable.
Moving from Virginia to North Carolina could save about $1,236 per year on this profile — roughly 1.03% of gross income.
Once you know what you owe, file with software built for your situation. We compare the top U.S. options below.
Best overall guided experience
Best for in-person backup
Best value for self-employed
Best truly-free federal e-file
We may earn a commission from links above at no cost to you. See our Affiliate Disclosure.
One short email a month. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
By subscribing you agree to our Privacy Policy. We never sell your data.