1North Carolina
Lowest21.2%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,484
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $15,891
- Net income (annual)
- $59,109
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Arkansas vs North Carolina Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $228 less state income tax a year in North Carolina than in Arkansas, which is about $19 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $161 in favor of North Carolina.
Arkansas: up to 3.9%North Carolina: 3.99% flatUpdated October 10, 2026
Compare Arkansas and North Carolina 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)
Choose which extra insights you would like to see.
💰 Monthly breakdown
Your take-home pay, spread across the year
North Carolina
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,324
Monthly take-home$4,926
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 North Carolina: how the two systems differ
| Arkansas | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Progressive, 2 brackets | Flat 3.99% |
| Top rate | 3.9% | 3.99% |
| Lowest rate | 2% | 3.99% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $2,470 standard deduction, $29 personal credit | $12,750 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 | NC state tax | Difference | AR take-home | NC take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $957 | $688 | $269 less in North Carolina | $25,328 | $25,597 |
| $40,000 | $1,347 | $1,087 | $260 less in North Carolina | $32,973 | $33,233 |
| $50,000 | $1,737 | $1,486 | $251 less in North Carolina | $40,618 | $40,869 |
| $60,000 | $2,127 | $1,885 | $242 less in North Carolina | $48,263 | $48,505 |
| $75,000 | $2,712 | $2,484 | $228 less in North Carolina | $58,880 | $59,109 |
| $100,000 | $3,687 | $3,481 | $206 less in North Carolina | $75,493 | $75,699 |
| $150,000 | $5,637 | $5,476 | $161 less in North Carolina | $108,154 | $108,315 |
| $250,000 | $9,537 | $9,466 | $71 less in North Carolina | $173,645 | $173,716 |
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 | NC state tax | Difference | AR take-home | NC take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $2,587 | $1,975 | $612 less in North Carolina | $62,036 | $62,647 |
| $100,000 | $3,562 | $2,973 | $589 less in North Carolina | $81,148 | $81,737 |
| $150,000 | $5,512 | $4,968 | $544 less in North Carolina | $117,673 | $118,217 |
| $250,000 | $9,412 | $8,958 | $454 less in North Carolina | $188,056 | $188,510 |
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, North Carolina is the lower-tax state up to roughly $330,000 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 |
North Carolina (single filers)
| 3.99% | Over $0 |
Full details for each state: Arkansas income tax calculator and North Carolina income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Arkansas vs North Carolina FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Arkansas or North Carolina?+
North Carolina is lower at $75,000: $2,484 of state income tax versus $2,712 in Arkansas. At $150,000 it is $5,637 in Arkansas and $5,476 in North Carolina. For a single filer, North Carolina is the lower-tax state up to roughly $330,000 of income, and Arkansas becomes the lower-tax state above that.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Arkansas versus North Carolina?+
A single filer keeping $75,493 a year in Arkansas would keep $75,699 in North Carolina after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $206 a year, or $17 a month.
How do the Arkansas and North Carolina income tax systems differ?+
Arkansas uses progressive rates up to 3.9%; North Carolina uses a flat 3.99% rate. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this Arkansas vs North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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.
More state comparisons
- Arkansas vs Texas
- Arkansas vs California
- Arkansas vs Florida
- Arkansas vs New York
- North Carolina vs Texas
- California vs North Carolina
- Florida vs North Carolina
- New York vs North Carolina
- All state comparisons →
Estimates for education only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Not a substitute for a tax professional or your state revenue department.