1Arizona
Lowest19.8%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $1,473
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $14,880
- Net income (annual)
- $60,120
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Arizona vs Kentucky Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $1,035 less state income tax a year in Arizona than in Kentucky, which is about $86 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $1,785 in favor of Arizona.
Arizona: 2.5% flatKentucky: 3.5% flatUpdated October 10, 2026
Compare Arizona 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.
2Kentucky
21.2%
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
Advanced analysis (optional)
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💰 Monthly breakdown
Your take-home pay, spread across the year
Arizona
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,240
Monthly take-home$5,010
Kentucky
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,326
Monthly take-home$4,924
Estimates use 2026 federal and state rates, the standard deduction for your filing status and no local taxes. Rankings use state income tax only.
Arizona vs Kentucky: how the two systems differ
| Arizona | Kentucky | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Flat 2.5% | Flat 3.5% |
| Top rate | 2.5% | 3.5% |
| Lowest rate | 2.5% | 3.5% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $16,100 standard deduction | $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 | AZ state tax | KY state tax | Difference | AZ take-home | KY take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $348 | $932 | $585 less in Arizona | $25,938 | $25,353 |
| $40,000 | $598 | $1,282 | $685 less in Arizona | $33,723 | $33,038 |
| $50,000 | $848 | $1,632 | $785 less in Arizona | $41,508 | $40,723 |
| $60,000 | $1,098 | $1,982 | $885 less in Arizona | $49,293 | $48,408 |
| $75,000 | $1,473 | $2,507 | $1,035 less in Arizona | $60,120 | $59,085 |
| $100,000 | $2,098 | $3,382 | $1,285 less in Arizona | $77,083 | $75,798 |
| $150,000 | $3,348 | $5,132 | $1,785 less in Arizona | $110,444 | $108,659 |
| $250,000 | $5,848 | $8,632 | $2,785 less in Arizona | $177,335 | $174,550 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
Married filing jointly
| Income | AZ state tax | KY state tax | Difference | AZ take-home | KY take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $1,070 | $2,507 | $1,437 less in Arizona | $63,553 | $62,115 |
| $100,000 | $1,695 | $3,382 | $1,687 less in Arizona | $83,015 | $81,328 |
| $150,000 | $2,945 | $5,132 | $2,187 less in Arizona | $120,240 | $118,053 |
| $250,000 | $5,445 | $8,632 | $3,187 less in Arizona | $192,023 | $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, Arizona charges the same or less state income tax than Kentucky for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.
Rates side by side
Arizona (single filers)
| 2.5% | Over $0 |
Kentucky (single filers)
| 3.5% | Over $0 |
- Kentucky: Many Kentucky cities and counties also levy local occupational license taxes that are not included here.
Full details for each state: Arizona income tax calculator and Kentucky income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Arizona vs Kentucky FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Arizona or Kentucky?+
Arizona is lower at $75,000: $1,473 of state income tax versus $2,507 in Kentucky. At $150,000 it is $3,348 in Arizona and $5,132 in Kentucky. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Arizona charges the same or less state income tax than Kentucky for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Arizona versus Kentucky?+
A single filer keeping $77,083 a year in Arizona would keep $75,798 in Kentucky after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $1,285 a year, or $107 a month.
How do the Arizona and Kentucky income tax systems differ?+
Arizona uses a flat 2.5% rate; 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 Arizona 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 Arizona 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.