[thephyber]

Most likely your parent misunderstands the _marginal_ income tax rates.

That said, income tax is not the only kind of tax. In the US, federated government entities mean a mesh of taxes accumulate. Income tax + Payroll Tax + Social Security + Medicare + Property Tax + Sales Tax aggregate. CA and NY are a little higher than other competing states, but not by much.

[jen20]

Property tax is the one that people always forget in the US - especially when looking at places with “low” overall tax rates like Texas.

[busterarm]

Also NYC has city tax roughly between 3% & 4%.