1Kentucky
Lowest21.2%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,507
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $15,915
- Net income (annual)
- $59,085
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Alabama vs Kentucky Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $978 less state income tax a year in Kentucky than in Alabama, which is about $81 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $2,103 in favor of Kentucky.
Alabama: up to 5%Kentucky: 3.5% flatUpdated October 10, 2026
Compare Alabama and Kentucky 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
Kentucky
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,326
Monthly take-home$4,924
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 Kentucky: how the two systems differ
| Alabama | Kentucky | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Progressive, 3 brackets | Flat 3.5% |
| Top rate | 5% | 3.5% |
| Lowest rate | 2% | 3.5% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $3,000 standard deduction, $1,500 personal exemption | $3,360 standard deduction |
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 | KY state tax | Difference | AL take-home | KY take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $1,235 | $932 | $303 less in Kentucky | $25,050 | $25,353 |
| $40,000 | $1,735 | $1,282 | $453 less in Kentucky | $32,585 | $33,038 |
| $50,000 | $2,235 | $1,632 | $603 less in Kentucky | $40,120 | $40,723 |
| $60,000 | $2,735 | $1,982 | $753 less in Kentucky | $47,655 | $48,408 |
| $75,000 | $3,485 | $2,507 | $978 less in Kentucky | $58,108 | $59,085 |
| $100,000 | $4,735 | $3,382 | $1,353 less in Kentucky | $74,445 | $75,798 |
| $150,000 | $7,235 | $5,132 | $2,103 less in Kentucky | $106,556 | $108,659 |
| $250,000 | $12,235 | $8,632 | $3,603 less in Kentucky | $170,947 | $174,550 |
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 | KY state tax | Difference | AL take-home | KY take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $3,095 | $2,507 | $588 less in Kentucky | $61,528 | $62,115 |
| $100,000 | $4,345 | $3,382 | $963 less in Kentucky | $80,365 | $81,328 |
| $150,000 | $6,845 | $5,132 | $1,713 less in Kentucky | $116,340 | $118,053 |
| $250,000 | $11,845 | $8,632 | $3,213 less in Kentucky | $185,623 | $188,836 |
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, Kentucky 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 |
Kentucky (single filers)
| 3.5% | Over $0 |
- Alabama: Many Alabama cities and counties also levy occupational taxes that are not included here.
- Kentucky: Many Kentucky cities and counties also levy local occupational license taxes that are not included here.
Full details for each state: Alabama income tax calculator and Kentucky income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Alabama vs Kentucky FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Alabama or Kentucky?+
Kentucky is lower at $75,000: $2,507 of state income tax versus $3,485 in Alabama. At $150,000 it is $7,235 in Alabama and $5,132 in Kentucky. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Kentucky 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 Kentucky?+
A single filer keeping $74,445 a year in Alabama would keep $75,798 in Kentucky after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $1,353 a year, or $113 a month.
How do the Alabama and Kentucky income tax systems differ?+
Alabama uses progressive rates up to 5%; Kentucky uses a flat 3.5% rate. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this Alabama vs Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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.