Skip to content
Tax Calculator US

Tax year 2026 · state vs state

Arizona vs Tennessee Income Tax Comparison (2026)

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $1,473 less state income tax a year in Tennessee than in Arizona, which is about $123 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $3,348 in favor of Tennessee.

Arizona: 2.5% flatTennessee: no state taxUpdated October 10, 2026

Compare Arizona and Tennessee 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.

1Tennessee

Lowest

17.9%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$0
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$13,408
Net income (annual)
$61,593

2Arizona

19.8%

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

Advanced analysis (optional)

Choose which extra insights you would like to see.

💰 Monthly breakdown

Your take-home pay, spread across the year

Tennessee

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,117
Monthly take-home$5,133

Arizona

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,240
Monthly take-home$5,010

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 Tennessee: how the two systems differ

ArizonaTennessee
Wage income taxFlat 2.5%No tax on wages
Top rate2.5%0%
Lowest rate2.5%0%
Deductions and credits (single)$16,100 standard deductionNot applicable

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.

IncomeAZ state taxTN state taxDifferenceAZ take-homeTN take-home
$30,000$348$0$348 less in Tennessee$25,938$26,285
$40,000$598$0$598 less in Tennessee$33,723$34,320
$50,000$848$0$848 less in Tennessee$41,508$42,355
$60,000$1,098$0$1,098 less in Tennessee$49,293$50,390
$75,000$1,473$0$1,473 less in Tennessee$60,120$61,593
$100,000$2,098$0$2,098 less in Tennessee$77,083$79,180
$150,000$3,348$0$3,348 less in Tennessee$110,444$113,791
$250,000$5,848$0$5,848 less in Tennessee$177,335$183,182

Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.

Married filing jointly

IncomeAZ state taxTN state taxDifferenceAZ take-homeTN take-home
$75,000$1,070$0$1,070 less in Tennessee$63,553$64,623
$100,000$1,695$0$1,695 less in Tennessee$83,015$84,710
$150,000$2,945$0$2,945 less in Tennessee$120,240$123,185
$250,000$5,445$0$5,445 less in Tennessee$192,023$197,468

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?

For a single filer, Arizona and Tennessee charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $17,500 of income. Above that, Tennessee is the lower-tax state.

Rates side by side

Arizona (single filers)

2.5%Over $0

Tennessee (single filers)

Tennessee has no state personal income tax. The old “Hall tax” on interest and dividends was repealed after 2020.

Full details for each state: Arizona income tax calculator and Tennessee income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.

Arizona vs Tennessee FAQ

Which has lower income tax, Arizona or Tennessee?+

Tennessee is lower at $75,000: $0 of state income tax versus $1,473 in Arizona. At $150,000 it is $3,348 in Arizona and $0 in Tennessee. For a single filer, Arizona and Tennessee charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $17,500 of income. Above that, Tennessee is the lower-tax state.

How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Arizona versus Tennessee?+

A single filer keeping $77,083 a year in Arizona would keep $79,180 in Tennessee after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $2,098 a year, or $175 a month.

How do the Arizona and Tennessee income tax systems differ?+

Arizona uses a flat 2.5% rate; Tennessee has no tax on wages. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.

Are local taxes included in this Arizona vs Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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

Last checked October 10, 2026. Confirm with your state tax agency before filing.

More state comparisons

Estimates for education only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Not a substitute for a tax professional or your state revenue department.