1Louisiana
Lowest20.4%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $1,864
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $15,271
- Net income (annual)
- $59,729
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Arkansas vs Louisiana Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $849 less state income tax a year in Louisiana than in Arkansas, which is about $71 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $1,524 in favor of Louisiana.
Arkansas: up to 3.9%Louisiana: 3% flatUpdated October 10, 2026
Compare Arkansas and Louisiana 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.
2Arkansas
21.5%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,712
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $16,120
- Net income (annual)
- $58,880
Advanced analysis (optional)
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💰 Monthly breakdown
Your take-home pay, spread across the year
Louisiana
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,273
Monthly take-home$4,977
Arkansas
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,343
Monthly take-home$4,907
Estimates use 2026 federal and state rates, the standard deduction for your filing status and no local taxes. Rankings use state income tax only.
Arkansas vs Louisiana: how the two systems differ
| Arkansas | Louisiana | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Progressive, 2 brackets | Flat 3% |
| Top rate | 3.9% | 3% |
| Lowest rate | 2% | 3% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $2,470 standard deduction, $29 personal credit | $12,875 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 | AR state tax | LA state tax | Difference | AR take-home | LA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $957 | $514 | $444 less in Louisiana | $25,328 | $25,771 |
| $40,000 | $1,347 | $814 | $534 less in Louisiana | $32,973 | $33,506 |
| $50,000 | $1,737 | $1,114 | $624 less in Louisiana | $40,618 | $41,241 |
| $60,000 | $2,127 | $1,414 | $714 less in Louisiana | $48,263 | $48,976 |
| $75,000 | $2,712 | $1,864 | $849 less in Louisiana | $58,880 | $59,729 |
| $100,000 | $3,687 | $2,614 | $1,074 less in Louisiana | $75,493 | $76,566 |
| $150,000 | $5,637 | $4,114 | $1,524 less in Louisiana | $108,154 | $109,677 |
| $250,000 | $9,537 | $7,114 | $2,424 less in Louisiana | $173,645 | $176,068 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
Married filing jointly
| Income | AR state tax | LA state tax | Difference | AR take-home | LA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $2,587 | $1,478 | $1,109 less in Louisiana | $62,036 | $63,145 |
| $100,000 | $3,562 | $2,228 | $1,334 less in Louisiana | $81,148 | $82,483 |
| $150,000 | $5,512 | $3,728 | $1,784 less in Louisiana | $117,673 | $119,458 |
| $250,000 | $9,412 | $6,728 | $2,684 less in Louisiana | $188,056 | $190,741 |
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, Louisiana charges the same or less state income tax than Arkansas for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.
Rates side by side
Arkansas (single filers)
| 2% | Up to $4,600 |
| 3.9% | Over $4,600 |
Louisiana (single filers)
| 3% | Over $0 |
Full details for each state: Arkansas income tax calculator and Louisiana income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Arkansas vs Louisiana FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Arkansas or Louisiana?+
Louisiana is lower at $75,000: $1,864 of state income tax versus $2,712 in Arkansas. At $150,000 it is $5,637 in Arkansas and $4,114 in Louisiana. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Louisiana charges the same or less state income tax than Arkansas for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Arkansas versus Louisiana?+
A single filer keeping $75,493 a year in Arkansas would keep $76,566 in Louisiana after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $1,074 a year, or $89 a month.
How do the Arkansas and Louisiana income tax systems differ?+
Arkansas uses progressive rates up to 3.9%; Louisiana uses a flat 3% rate. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this Arkansas vs Louisiana 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 Arkansas to Louisiana 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.