Texas has no state income tax (0%), while Massachusetts charges a 5% flat rate. Moving from MA to TX saves $5,000/year on $100k income. However, Texas has higher property taxes (1.74% vs MA's 1.15%) and higher sales tax (8.20% vs 6.25%). Overall, Texas offers significant tax savings for high earners and renters, while Massachusetts may be competitive for expensive homeowners. The Boston-to-Austin tech migration has accelerated post-2020.

By Daniel, Founder of CountryTaxCalc

Daniel has spent 5+ years researching tax systems across 95+ countries and all US states to make tax comparison accessible to everyone. For corrections, contact us.

Last Updated: April 2026

The Big Picture

🏛️ Massachusetts

5%

Flat Rate

Flat 5% on all income

🤠 Texas

0%

No Income Tax

Constitutional prohibition

Typical Annual Savings

At $100,000 income:

$5,000

That is $417/month back in your pocket!

Tax Savings by Income Level

IncomeMA TaxTX TaxSavings10-Year
$50,000 $2,500$0$2,500$25,000
$100,000 $5,000$0$5,000$50,000
$200,000 $10,000$0$10,000$100,000
$500,000 $25,000$0$25,000$250,000
💡

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Massachusetts Pros and Cons

✅ Pros

  • Lower property tax: 1.15% (vs TX 1.74%) saves $2,100-$8,400/year on expensive homes
  • Lower sales tax: 6.25% (vs TX 8.20%) saves ~$195/year on $10k purchases
  • Universal healthcare: MassHealth covers 97.5% of residents (vs TX 82.4%)
  • Top education: MA ranks #1 in US for K-12 schools, world-class universities (Harvard, MIT)
  • Public transit: Boston MBTA subway/bus system (vs car-dependent TX cities)

❌ Cons

  • 5% flat income tax: Costs $5,000/year on $100k income ($25,000 on $500k)
  • High housing costs: Boston median home $825k (vs Austin $590k)
  • Harsh winters: Cold, snowy winters (vs TX warm year-round)
  • Higher cost of living: 37% more expensive than Texas overall
  • Short-term capital gains: 12% rate (vs TX 0%) hurts active traders

Texas Pros and Cons

✅ Pros

  • Zero income tax: Save $5,000/year on $100k income ($25,000 on $500k)
  • Lower housing costs: Austin median home $590k (vs Boston $825k, 28% cheaper)
  • Business-friendly: No corporate income tax, lower regulations
  • No tax on retirement: $0 on Social Security, pensions, withdrawals
  • Warm climate: Year-round sunshine, no winter (but very hot summers 95-105°F)

❌ Cons

  • Higher property tax: 1.74% (3rd highest in US) costs $2,100-$8,400 more/year
  • Higher sales tax: 8.20% (vs MA 6.25%) costs ~$195 more/year on $10k purchases
  • Limited healthcare access: Only 82.4% insured (vs MA 97.5%), no Medicaid expansion
  • Lower education ranking: TX ranks #34 in K-12 education (vs MA #1)
  • Car-dependent: Austin/Dallas require cars (no walkable transit like Boston)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much will I save moving from Massachusetts to Texas?

On $100,000 income, you save $5,000/year in state income tax (MA 5% vs TX 0%). Over 10 years: $50,000. On $200,000 income: $10,000/year ($100,000 over 10 years). However, Texas property taxes are higher (1.74% vs MA 1.15%), so homeowners with expensive properties ($1M+) may see reduced savings. Renters benefit most from the move.

Q: Are property taxes really that different?

Yes. Massachusetts: 1.15% effective rate. Texas: 1.74% (3rd highest in US). On a $600,000 home: MA pays $6,900/year, TX pays $10,440/year - a difference of $3,540/year. Texas relies on property tax to fund services since it has no income tax. However, total tax burden is still lower in TX for most income levels.

Q: What about healthcare differences?

Massachusetts has near-universal healthcare via MassHealth (97.5% insured rate, highest in US). Texas has only 82.4% insured due to limited Medicaid expansion. MA also has lower healthcare costs and better access to top hospitals (Mass General, Brigham). This is a major quality-of-life difference, especially for families.

Q: Is the Boston to Austin tech migration real?

Very real. Post-2020 remote work enabled Boston tech workers to relocate to Austin while keeping high salaries. Oracle, Tesla, and Apple expanded in Austin. In 2023, 8,942 people moved MA → TX (vs 3,281 TX → MA), net gain of 5,661 for Texas. Primary drivers: lower taxes, lower housing costs, remote work opportunities.

Q: Which state is better for retirees?

Texas wins for retirees: no tax on Social Security, pensions, or retirement withdrawals saves thousands annually. A retiree with $80,000 in retirement income saves $4,000/year in TX. However, MA offers MassHealth for those who qualify, better healthcare access, and no brutal summer heat (TX reaches 100-105°F regularly). Choose based on healthcare needs vs tax savings.

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