New York Taxes Among Highest in U.S., New Report Finds

According to WalletHub, if you think taxes are out of control in the Northeast, there’s one state that really jumps off the page—and it’s not Connecticut. It’s New York.

New York ranks near the very top for total tax burden in the entire country, with residents paying roughly 12.4% of their income to state and local taxes. That’s a massive number when you really think about it—basically more than one out of every ten dollars you make is gone before you even start living your life.

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What makes New York stand out even more is how they get you. It’s not just one category doing damage—it’s everything. High income taxes, steep property taxes, and solid sales taxes all combine to create a perfect storm for your wallet. It’s the kind of setup where no matter what you do—work, own a home, or just go shopping—you’re paying up.

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Meanwhile, back here in Connecticut, we’re sitting further down the list, with about 9% of income going toward taxes. That’s noticeably lower than New York, but let’s not pretend it feels like a discount. Connecticut still leans heavily on property taxes, which is why homeowners feel like they’re constantly getting squeezed.

Here’s how the top 20 shakes out, according to WalletHub:

1. Hawaii
2. New York
3. Vermont
4. New Mexico
5. Maine
6. Illinois
7. Maryland
8. New Jersey
9. Oregon
10. Rhode Island
11. California
12. Iowa
13. Kansas
14. Indiana
15. Minnesota
16. Ohio
17. Connecticut
18. West Virginia
19. Utah
20. Mississippi

If you zoom out, a pattern starts to emerge—Northeast states are all over this list. So yeah, Connecticut might not be leading the charge, but we’re definitely hanging out in the same neighborhood as the heavy hitters.

And then there’s the other end of the spectrum. States like Alaska are sitting pretty with the lowest overall tax burden in the country, thanks in large part to having no state income tax at all. Several others—like Florida and Texas—also skip income taxes entirely, which is why you hear so many people talk about moving there.

Bottom line: every state is going to get their money one way or another. But if you’re in New York, they’re not just getting it—they’re getting a lot of it. And if you’re in Connecticut, you’re close enough to feel the pain… just not quite at New York levels.