1Arkansas
Lowest21.5%
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
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Arkansas vs Massachusetts Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $818 less state income tax a year in Arkansas than in Massachusetts, which is about $68 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $1,643 in favor of Arkansas.
Arkansas: up to 3.9%Massachusetts: up to 9%Updated October 10, 2026
Compare Arkansas and Massachusetts 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.
2Massachusetts
22.6%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $3,530
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $16,938
- Net income (annual)
- $58,063
Advanced analysis (optional)
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💰 Monthly breakdown
Your take-home pay, spread across the year
Arkansas
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,343
Monthly take-home$4,907
Massachusetts
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,411
Monthly take-home$4,839
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 Massachusetts: how the two systems differ
| Arkansas | Massachusetts | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Progressive, 2 brackets | Progressive, 2 brackets |
| Top rate | 3.9% | 9% |
| Lowest rate | 2% | 5% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $2,470 standard deduction, $29 personal credit | $4,400 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 | AR state tax | MA state tax | Difference | AR take-home | MA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $957 | $1,280 | $323 less in Arkansas | $25,328 | $25,005 |
| $40,000 | $1,347 | $1,780 | $433 less in Arkansas | $32,973 | $32,540 |
| $50,000 | $1,737 | $2,280 | $543 less in Arkansas | $40,618 | $40,075 |
| $60,000 | $2,127 | $2,780 | $653 less in Arkansas | $48,263 | $47,610 |
| $75,000 | $2,712 | $3,530 | $818 less in Arkansas | $58,880 | $58,063 |
| $100,000 | $3,687 | $4,780 | $1,093 less in Arkansas | $75,493 | $74,400 |
| $150,000 | $5,637 | $7,280 | $1,643 less in Arkansas | $108,154 | $106,511 |
| $250,000 | $9,537 | $12,280 | $2,743 less in Arkansas | $173,645 | $170,902 |
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 | MA state tax | Difference | AR take-home | MA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $2,587 | $3,310 | $723 less in Arkansas | $62,036 | $61,313 |
| $100,000 | $3,562 | $4,560 | $998 less in Arkansas | $81,148 | $80,150 |
| $150,000 | $5,512 | $7,060 | $1,548 less in Arkansas | $117,673 | $116,125 |
| $250,000 | $9,412 | $12,060 | $2,648 less in Arkansas | $188,056 | $185,408 |
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, Arkansas charges the same or less state income tax than Massachusetts 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 |
Massachusetts (single filers)
| 5% | Up to $1,083,150 |
| 9% | Over $1,083,150 |
- Massachusetts: The 9% rate is the 4% “millionaires tax” surtax on income above the threshold, added to the 5% base rate.
Full details for each state: Arkansas income tax calculator and Massachusetts income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Arkansas vs Massachusetts FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Arkansas or Massachusetts?+
Arkansas is lower at $75,000: $2,712 of state income tax versus $3,530 in Massachusetts. At $150,000 it is $5,637 in Arkansas and $7,280 in Massachusetts. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Arkansas charges the same or less state income tax than Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts?+
A single filer keeping $75,493 a year in Arkansas would keep $74,400 in Massachusetts after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $1,093 a year, or $91 a month.
How do the Arkansas and Massachusetts income tax systems differ?+
Arkansas uses progressive rates up to 3.9%; Massachusetts uses progressive rates up to 9%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this Arkansas vs Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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.