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10 States With the Highest Lifetime Tax Bills

Living in these states could mean keeping less of your income over time.

By Adam Palasciano , Edited by Becca Borawski Jenkins

Updated Oct. 7, 2026

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Taxes take a bigger bite out of lifetime earnings than many people realize. In fact, Self estimates that the average American will pay $762,272 in taxes over a lifetime, equal to about 33.6% of estimated lifetime earnings. If you're looking to lower your financial stress, where you live can make a surprisingly large difference. And in some states, the gap is enormous.

Self's study combines estimated federal and state taxes on earnings with taxes tied to property, everyday spending, and car ownership. The figures aren't a prediction of what any one household will pay, but they offer a useful way to compare how location can shape lifetime costs.

Here are the 10 states with the highest estimated lifetime tax bills, from lowest to highest dollar amount.

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Rhode Island

The estimated lifetime tax bill in Rhode Island is $999,704, or 40.2% of lifetime earnings. Rhode Island combines a 7% sales tax with graduated income taxes and significant property-tax collections, which account for more than a third of state and local tax revenue.

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Minnesota

Minnesota crosses the $1 million mark, with estimated lifetime taxes of $1,018,872, representing 40.6% of earnings. The state's individual income tax runs as high as 9.85%, while its average combined state and local sales tax rate is 8.14%.

Illinois

Illinois residents face an estimated $1,033,447 in lifetime taxes, or 42.6% of earnings. The state has a flat 4.95% individual income tax, but property taxes stand out: Illinois has a 1.88% effective property tax rate on owner-occupied housing value.

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Maryland

Maryland residents are projected to pay $1,060,255 in lifetime taxes, equal to 37.8% of estimated lifetime earnings. The state combines a graduated individual income tax with local income taxes, which can add substantially to what residents owe. State income tax rates range from 2% to 6.5%, while local income taxes can reach 3.3%.

California

California's estimated lifetime tax tab comes to $1,075,061, equal to 41.6% of lifetime earnings. The state has some of the country's highest individual income tax rates, reaching 13.3%, along with an average combined state and local sales tax rate of about 8.99%.

New York

New Yorkers are projected to pay $1,084,561 over a lifetime, or 41.2% of earnings. New York's state income tax reaches 10.9%, some localities impose their own income taxes, and the average combined state and local sales tax rate is 8.54%.

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New Hampshire

New Hampshire may be surprising because it doesn't tax wage income and has no general state sales tax. Even so, it's estimated that residents pay a lifetime tax bill of $1,125,478, or 43.2% of earnings, while property taxes account for nearly 60% of state and local tax revenue.

Connecticut

Connecticut residents face an estimated $1,249,749 in lifetime taxes, equal to 44.9% of lifetime earnings. The state combines an income tax reaching 6.99% with an effective property tax rate of 1.54%, and property taxes generate more than a third of state and local tax revenue.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts comes in just under $1.3 million, with lifetime taxes estimated at $1,297,130, or 43.3% of earnings. The state generally taxes personal income at 5%, while income above the inflation-adjusted million-dollar threshold faces an additional 4% surtax.

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New Jersey

New Jersey tops the list at an estimated $1,359,406 in lifetime taxes — a striking 48.2% of estimated lifetime earnings. New Jersey has a 1.88% effective property tax rate on owner-occupied housing, among the highest in the country, while its top individual income tax rate reaches 10.75%.

Bottom line

How much of a role should taxes play when you're deciding where to live or retire? The answer depends on far more than one ranking, because housing costs, insurance, wages, retirement-income taxes, family ties, and quality of life can easily outweigh a lower tax bill. Self's figures are best viewed as a comparison tool, not a forecast of what you personally will pay.

Still, location is one of the biggest financial variables you can control. Before moving in retirement, compare not only income-tax rates but also property taxes, sales taxes, and how your specific retirement income would be treated. Looking at the full picture can help you keep more of your money without choosing a state based on one tax number alone.

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