1Iowa
Lowest20.8%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,198
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $15,606
- Net income (annual)
- $59,394
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Alabama vs Iowa Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $1,287 less state income tax a year in Iowa than in Alabama, which is about $107 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $2,187 in favor of Iowa.
Alabama: up to 5%Iowa: 3.8% flatUpdated October 10, 2026
Compare Alabama and Iowa for your income
Estimate for education only, not tax advice. 2026 federal and state rules, standard deductions, no local taxes. How we calculate.
State comparison
Comparing 2 states, sorted by lowest overall tax rate.
2Alabama
22.5%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $3,485
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $16,893
- Net income (annual)
- $58,108
Advanced analysis (optional)
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💰 Monthly breakdown
Your take-home pay, spread across the year
Iowa
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,300
Monthly take-home$4,950
Alabama
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,408
Monthly take-home$4,842
Estimates use 2026 federal and state rates, the standard deduction for your filing status and no local taxes. Rankings use state income tax only.
Alabama vs Iowa: how the two systems differ
| Alabama | Iowa | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Progressive, 3 brackets | Flat 3.8% |
| Top rate | 5% | 3.8% |
| Lowest rate | 2% | 3.8% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $3,000 standard deduction, $1,500 personal exemption | $16,100 standard deduction, $40 personal credit |
State income tax and take-home pay at every salary
The same salary can leave you with different take-home pay depending on the state. This table applies each state’s 2026 rules to a single filer with no pre-tax contributions.
| Income | AL state tax | IA state tax | Difference | AL take-home | IA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $1,235 | $488 | $747 less in Iowa | $25,050 | $25,797 |
| $40,000 | $1,735 | $868 | $867 less in Iowa | $32,585 | $33,452 |
| $50,000 | $2,235 | $1,248 | $987 less in Iowa | $40,120 | $41,107 |
| $60,000 | $2,735 | $1,628 | $1,107 less in Iowa | $47,655 | $48,762 |
| $75,000 | $3,485 | $2,198 | $1,287 less in Iowa | $58,108 | $59,394 |
| $100,000 | $4,735 | $3,148 | $1,587 less in Iowa | $74,445 | $76,032 |
| $150,000 | $7,235 | $5,048 | $2,187 less in Iowa | $106,556 | $108,743 |
| $250,000 | $12,235 | $8,848 | $3,387 less in Iowa | $170,947 | $174,334 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
Married filing jointly
| Income | AL state tax | IA state tax | Difference | AL take-home | IA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $3,095 | $1,546 | $1,549 less in Iowa | $61,528 | $63,076 |
| $100,000 | $4,345 | $2,496 | $1,849 less in Iowa | $80,365 | $82,214 |
| $150,000 | $6,845 | $4,396 | $2,449 less in Iowa | $116,340 | $118,789 |
| $250,000 | $11,845 | $8,196 | $3,649 less in Iowa | $185,623 | $189,272 |
Married filing jointly, 2026, federal standard deduction. Uses each state's joint brackets where they differ.
Does the lower-tax state change as income rises?
Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Iowa charges the same or less state income tax than Alabama for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.
Rates side by side
Alabama (single filers)
| 2% | Up to $500 |
| 4% | $501 to $3,000 |
| 5% | Over $3,000 |
Iowa (single filers)
| 3.8% | Over $0 |
- Alabama: Many Alabama cities and counties also levy occupational taxes that are not included here.
Full details for each state: Alabama income tax calculator and Iowa income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Alabama vs Iowa FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Alabama or Iowa?+
Iowa is lower at $75,000: $2,198 of state income tax versus $3,485 in Alabama. At $150,000 it is $7,235 in Alabama and $5,048 in Iowa. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Iowa charges the same or less state income tax than Alabama for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Alabama versus Iowa?+
A single filer keeping $74,445 a year in Alabama would keep $76,032 in Iowa after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $1,587 a year, or $132 a month.
How do the Alabama and Iowa income tax systems differ?+
Alabama uses progressive rates up to 5%; Iowa uses a flat 3.8% rate. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this Alabama vs Iowa comparison?+
No. It covers federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and state income tax only. City, county, sales and property taxes are not included, and they can change the real cost of living in each state.
Should I move from Alabama to Iowa to save on taxes?+
State income tax is one cost among many. Property and sales taxes, housing, insurance and wages also differ, and you may owe tax to both states in the year you move. Use this comparison as one input and confirm details with a tax professional.
Sources
- Tax Foundation: 2026 state individual income tax rates and brackets
- IRS: Tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2026
Last checked October 10, 2026. Confirm with your state tax agency before filing.
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Estimates for education only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Not a substitute for a tax professional or your state revenue department.