Texas
$750
Percentage of income · monthly
- Annual
- $9,000
- Dense rank
- #1
Compare different states
2026
2026Texas vs California Child Support
Texas estimates $567 more per month than California on $5,000 / $3,000 monthly gross · 2 children · Parent A 70% custody · Parent B pays.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Key finding
Texas estimates higher monthly support
$567/mo more (~$6,804/yr).
Side-by-side child support scoreboard
California
$183
Income shares · monthly
- Annual
- $2,196
- Dense rank
- #6
Key takeaways — Texas vs California
- Texas estimates about $567/mo more ($750 vs $183).
- Texas: Percentage of income. California: Income shares.
- Dense ranks: Texas #1; California #6 (#1 = highest monthly estimate).
- If either side uses income shares, remember this hub’s simplified shared schedule can cause ties that official worksheets would not.
- Personalize at /child-support-calculator.
Rule contrast (2026)
| Topic | Texas | California |
|---|---|---|
| Guideline model | Percentage of income | Income shares |
| Vignette monthly | $750 | $183 |
| Vignette annual | $9,000 | $2,196 |
| Dense rank | #1 | #6 |
| Guideline citation | Texas Family Code § 154.125 (varying % of net resources) | California Family Code §§ 4050–4076 (Income Shares) |
| Official resource | https://csapps.oag.texas.gov/child-support-calculator | https://childsupport.ca.gov/guideline-calculator/ |
Paying-parent income ladder
| Parent B gross | TX monthly | CA monthly | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2,000 | $500 | $50 | $450 |
| $3,000 | $750 | $183 | $567 |
| $5,000 | $1,250 | $536 | $714 |
| $8,000 | $2,000 | $701.54 | $1,298.46 |
How to read Texas vs California
Texas vs California child support in 2026
This page compares guideline estimates for Texas (TX) and California (CA) on $5,000 / $3,000 monthly gross · 2 children · Parent A 70% custody · Parent B pays, calculated from our engine.
Texas is higher by about $567/mo; annual gap about $6,804.
Texas uses a percentage-of-income guideline model (NCSL). Our engine applies state-specific percentage math on this vignette. Texas uses a percentage of monthly NET resources (not gross income): 20/25/30/35/40% for 1-5+ children, capped at $11,700/month net resources (effective Sept 2025). This calculator approximates using gross income — actual amounts will differ. For income under $1,000/month net resources, lower percentages (15/20/25/30/35%) apply. Use the official TX OAG calculator for precise results.
California uses an income-shares guideline model (NCSL). This hub’s engine uses a simplified shared income-shares schedule — many income-shares states therefore tie on the locked vignette. California uses income shares model. Estimates typically vary by ±10-15% due to court discretion and case-specific circumstances.
Guideline model contrast
Texas citation: Texas Family Code § 154.125 (varying % of net resources). California citation: California Family Code §§ 4050–4076 (Income Shares).
Profiles: /child-support-by-state/texas and /child-support-by-state/california.
Not legal advice — court worksheets and agency calculators control.
How the gap can change with income
The ladder below recomputes monthly estimates as Parent B’s gross monthly income changes (Parent A income and custody stay at vignette defaults).
Percentage-of-income states often scale more steeply with obligor income than the simplified income-shares schedule.
Limits of this comparison
No invented per-state income-shares table numbers. Melson/hybrid accuracy notes still apply where relevant.
Health insurance, childcare add-ons, and multi-family credits are omitted on the ranking vignette.
Who this comparison helps
Useful if…
- •Parents weighing Texas vs California orientation numbers
- •Editors illustrating percentage-of-income vs income-shares gaps
- •Users deciding which state calculator to open next
Use official tools if…
- •Treating a hub tie as identical official guidelines
- •Litigation strategy without counsel
- •Interstate jurisdiction questions beyond this vignette
Comparison checklist
- 1Confirm models: Percentage of income vs Income shares.
- 2Read accuracy notes on both state profiles.
- 3Run custom incomes at /child-support-calculator.
- 4Cross-check each state’s official calculator.
What the monthly gap means
Guideline models and engine paths differ by state. This is an educational estimate, not a court order.
Limits of this comparison
We do not invent per-state income-shares table numbers. Melson/hybrid notes, add-ons, and deviations may change real outcomes. Use each state’s official calculator.
Texas vs California child support FAQs
Texas is higher by about $567/mo ($750 vs $183) on $5,000 / $3,000 monthly gross · 2 children · Parent A 70% custody · Parent B pays.
Texas: Percentage of income (Texas Family Code § 154.125 (varying % of net resources)). California: Income shares (California Family Code §§ 4050–4076 (Income Shares)).
No. This educational engine shares one simplified income-shares schedule across those states. Official tables, worksheets, and deviations differ — confirm with each state’s calculator.
Not necessarily. Recompute with the income ladder on this page or the child support calculator — percentage-of-income and income-shares paths scale differently.
Start with Texas if you care about the higher vignette estimate, then compare California and both official calculators.
No. Educational engine output only. Courts apply official guidelines and evidence.
Compare another pair
Compare any two states
Guideline estimates on $5,000 / $3,000 monthly gross · 2 children · Parent A 70% custody · Parent B pays.
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