Tax rates vary from province to province and state to state. Some states of tax, some don't. Some it's higher, some lower. You get the point. Here's an illustration of the tax differences between Washington State and British Columbia
For our examples we will use two people, both full time employees of a company, both making $100,000 per year. One in Washington State and one in British Columbia. For simplicity, remove currency calculations and say they dollars are at par. We will use 2007 tax tables.
Canadian Tax Table:
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tax/individ...axrates-e.html
British Columbia $100,000 Salary:
Federal Income Tax:
-15.5% on the first $37,178 =
$5762.59
-22% on the next $37,179 of taxable income (on the portion of taxable income between $37,178 and $74,357), =
$8170.58
-26% on the next $46,530 of taxable income (on the portion of taxable income between $74,357 and $120,887), =
$6667.18
TOTAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX = $20,635
Provincial Income Tax:
5.7% on the first $34,397 of taxable income =
$1960.63
8.65% on the next $34,397 =
$2975.34
11.1% on the next $10,190, =
$1131.09
13% on the next $16,925, =
$2200.25
14.7% on the amount over $95,909 =
$601.378
TOTAL PROVINCIAL INCOME TAX = $8868.69
$20,635 + $8868.69 = $29,503 total income tax.
A Person making $100,000 a year in BC will pay a blended tax rate of roughly 29.5% before personal deductions.
United States Tax Table:
http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/article...164272,00.html
Washington State $100,000 Salary:
Federal Income Tax:
If taxable income is over $77,100 but not over $160,850: $15,698.75 plus 28% of the amount over 77,100 = $22,110.75
NO STATE TAX IN WASHINGTON
A Person making $100,000 a year in Washington State will pay a blended tax rate of roughly 22.1% before personal deductions.
So the tax rate is not that much higher in Canada.
Healthcare? Well, if you're in a job making $100K a year, you're most likely a professional. You'll probably have health care insurance provided by your employer. Lack of universal health care is more of a problem for retail workers and the unskilled. Personally, I'd take the American system. Why? Because I can afford to pay, so I want the best health care available to me immediately and I just don't care about those who can't afford to pay.