Calculator
US vs UK Take-Home Pay
Compare how much of a salary you keep in the US versus the UK after the main income taxes and social contributions. Enter a gross salary in each system to see your take-home pay and the percentage you retain — a directional comparison for anyone weighing a transatlantic move.
Compare take-home pay: UK vs US
Enter a gross salary in each system to compare the proportion you keep after the main income taxes and social contributions. This is a directional comparison for weighing a move — enter each salary in its own currency.
0% for states like Texas or Florida; ~13% at the top in California. Set to match where you’d live.
UK take-home
£0
0% of gross
US take-home
$0
0% of gross
Indicative only. The UK figures use 2025/26 rates (England/Wales/NI; Scotland differs). The US figure is a simplified single-filer estimate — real US tax depends on filing status, deductions, and your state. This compares domestic take-home; it does not model the cross-border case where US citizens in the UK file in both systems.
Planning a move across the Atlantic?
Take-home pay is only part of it — if you’re American, you’ll likely file in both countries. We help you understand the real after-tax picture before you move. The first consultation is free.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on income level and, in the US, your state. At many income levels US take-home as a percentage of gross is higher than the UK’s, largely because UK National Insurance and income tax bands bite earlier — but US state taxes, healthcare costs, and the cross-border filing obligations for Americans complicate a simple comparison. This tool gives a directional percentage rather than a precise figure.
Because US state income tax varies enormously — from 0% in states like Texas and Florida to around 13% at the top in California. There is no single US rate, so rather than guess, the tool lets you set the state rate to match where you would actually live.
No — this compares domestic take-home in each system separately, which is the right comparison when weighing where to live. If you are a US citizen living in the UK you file in both countries, and foreign tax credits usually prevent double taxation but the picture is more complex. That is a case to model individually.
The UK figures are computed from current-year income tax and National Insurance rules. The US figure is a simplified single-filer estimate using an approximate federal effective rate plus FICA, so it is directional rather than exact. For a precise after-tax comparison tailored to your situation, a short consultation is the better route.
Planning a move across the Atlantic?
If you're American, you'll likely file in both countries. We help you understand the real after-tax picture before you move.