The graphic below from this CNN/Money story should make clear one of the many reasons why, in recent years, we have moved from California to Oregon and then on to Montana.

State income taxes in Oregon are quite high (in the top two or three as I recall) and, while it costs practically nothing to register your car, property taxes are expensive in some counties. Here in Montana, motor vehicle taxes are surprisingly high but, from what I’ve seen, property taxes are very reasonable. I’ll let you know about state income tax next year.