A little prejudice is a dangerous thing. Why do you expect California taxes to be higher than Virginia’s? It’s only for higher incomes that California reaches into higher brackets. Virginia’s “progressive” tax rates are 2% up to $3,000; 3% from $3,000 to $5,000; 5% from $5,000 to $17,000; and 5.75% for income over $17,000.

California doesn’t exceed that 5.75% until a much higher amount: 1% up to $8,932; 2% on $8,933 to $21,175; 4% on $21,176 to $33,421; and 6% on $33,422 to $46,394.