1West Virginia
Lowest21.5%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,680
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $16,088
- Net income (annual)
- $58,912
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Alabama vs West Virginia Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $805 less state income tax a year in West Virginia than in Alabama, which is about $67 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $940 in favor of West Virginia.
Alabama: up to 5%West Virginia: up to 4.82%Updated October 10, 2026
Compare Alabama and West Virginia 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
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💰 Monthly breakdown
Your take-home pay, spread across the year
West Virginia
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,341
Monthly take-home$4,909
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 West Virginia: how the two systems differ
| Alabama | West Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Progressive, 3 brackets | Progressive, 5 brackets |
| Top rate | 5% | 4.82% |
| Lowest rate | 2% | 2.22% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $3,000 standard deduction, $1,500 personal exemption | $2,000 personal exemption |
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 | WV state tax | Difference | AL take-home | WV take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $1,235 | $766 | $469 less in West Virginia | $25,050 | $25,519 |
| $40,000 | $1,735 | $1,099 | $636 less in West Virginia | $32,585 | $33,221 |
| $50,000 | $2,235 | $1,521 | $714 less in West Virginia | $40,120 | $40,834 |
| $60,000 | $2,735 | $1,965 | $770 less in West Virginia | $47,655 | $48,425 |
| $75,000 | $3,485 | $2,680 | $805 less in West Virginia | $58,108 | $58,912 |
| $100,000 | $4,735 | $3,885 | $850 less in West Virginia | $74,445 | $75,295 |
| $150,000 | $7,235 | $6,295 | $940 less in West Virginia | $106,556 | $107,496 |
| $250,000 | $12,235 | $11,115 | $1,120 less in West Virginia | $170,947 | $172,067 |
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 | WV state tax | Difference | AL take-home | WV take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $3,095 | $2,584 | $511 less in West Virginia | $61,528 | $62,039 |
| $100,000 | $4,345 | $3,789 | $556 less in West Virginia | $80,365 | $80,921 |
| $150,000 | $6,845 | $6,199 | $646 less in West Virginia | $116,340 | $116,986 |
| $250,000 | $11,845 | $11,019 | $826 less in West Virginia | $185,623 | $186,449 |
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, West Virginia 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 |
West Virginia (single filers)
| 2.22% | Up to $10,000 |
| 2.96% | $10,001 to $25,000 |
| 3.33% | $25,001 to $40,000 |
| 4.44% | $40,001 to $60,000 |
| 4.82% | Over $60,000 |
- 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 West Virginia income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Alabama vs West Virginia FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Alabama or West Virginia?+
West Virginia is lower at $75,000: $2,680 of state income tax versus $3,485 in Alabama. At $150,000 it is $7,235 in Alabama and $6,295 in West Virginia. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, West Virginia 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 West Virginia?+
A single filer keeping $74,445 a year in Alabama would keep $75,295 in West Virginia after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $850 a year, or $71 a month.
How do the Alabama and West Virginia income tax systems differ?+
Alabama uses progressive rates up to 5%; West Virginia uses progressive rates up to 4.82%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this Alabama vs West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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.