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Tax year 2026 · state vs state

Arkansas vs Montana Income Tax Comparison (2026)

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $164 less state income tax a year in Arkansas than in Montana, which is about $14 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $1,477 in favor of Arkansas.

Arkansas: up to 3.9%Montana: up to 5.65%Updated October 10, 2026

Compare Arkansas and Montana 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.

1Arkansas

Lowest

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

2Montana

21.7%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$2,877
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$16,284
Net income (annual)
$58,716

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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

Montana

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,357
Monthly take-home$4,893

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 Montana: how the two systems differ

ArkansasMontana
Wage income taxProgressive, 2 bracketsProgressive, 2 brackets
Top rate3.9%5.65%
Lowest rate2%4.7%
Deductions and credits (single)$2,470 standard deduction, $29 personal credit$16,100 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.

IncomeAR state taxMT state taxDifferenceAR take-homeMT take-home
$30,000$957$653$304 less in Montana$25,328$25,632
$40,000$1,347$1,123$224 less in Montana$32,973$33,197
$50,000$1,737$1,593$144 less in Montana$40,618$40,762
$60,000$2,127$2,063$64 less in Montana$48,263$48,327
$75,000$2,712$2,877$164 less in Arkansas$58,880$58,716
$100,000$3,687$4,289$602 less in Arkansas$75,493$74,891
$150,000$5,637$7,114$1,477 less in Arkansas$108,154$106,677
$250,000$9,537$12,764$3,227 less in Arkansas$173,645$170,418

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

Married filing jointly

IncomeAR state taxMT state taxDifferenceAR take-homeMT take-home
$75,000$2,587$2,012$575 less in Montana$62,036$62,611
$100,000$3,562$3,187$375 less in Montana$81,148$81,523
$150,000$5,512$5,753$241 less in Arkansas$117,673$117,432
$250,000$9,412$11,403$1,991 less in Arkansas$188,056$186,065

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, Montana is the lower-tax state up to roughly $67,500 of income, and Arkansas becomes the lower-tax state above that.

Rates side by side

Arkansas (single filers)

2%Up to $4,600
3.9%Over $4,600

Montana (single filers)

4.7%Up to $47,500
5.65%Over $47,500

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

Arkansas vs Montana FAQ

Which has lower income tax, Arkansas or Montana?+

Arkansas is lower at $75,000: $2,712 of state income tax versus $2,877 in Montana. At $150,000 it is $5,637 in Arkansas and $7,114 in Montana. For a single filer, Montana is the lower-tax state up to roughly $67,500 of income, and Arkansas becomes the lower-tax state above that.

How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Arkansas versus Montana?+

A single filer keeping $75,493 a year in Arkansas would keep $74,891 in Montana after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $602 a year, or $50 a month.

How do the Arkansas and Montana income tax systems differ?+

Arkansas uses progressive rates up to 3.9%; Montana uses progressive rates up to 5.65%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.

Are local taxes included in this Arkansas vs Montana 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 Montana 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.

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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.