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Tax year 2026 · state vs state

Arkansas vs Washington Income Tax Comparison (2026)

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $2,712 less state income tax a year in Washington than in Arkansas, which is about $226 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $5,637 in favor of Washington.

Arkansas: up to 3.9%Washington: no state taxUpdated October 10, 2026

Compare Arkansas and Washington 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.

1Washington

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

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

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💰 Monthly breakdown

Your take-home pay, spread across the year

Washington

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

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 Washington: how the two systems differ

ArkansasWashington
Wage income taxProgressive, 2 bracketsNo tax on wages
Top rate3.9%0%
Lowest rate2%0%
Deductions and credits (single)$2,470 standard deduction, $29 personal creditNot 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.

IncomeAR state taxWA state taxDifferenceAR take-homeWA take-home
$30,000$957$0$957 less in Washington$25,328$26,285
$40,000$1,347$0$1,347 less in Washington$32,973$34,320
$50,000$1,737$0$1,737 less in Washington$40,618$42,355
$60,000$2,127$0$2,127 less in Washington$48,263$50,390
$75,000$2,712$0$2,712 less in Washington$58,880$61,593
$100,000$3,687$0$3,687 less in Washington$75,493$79,180
$150,000$5,637$0$5,637 less in Washington$108,154$113,791
$250,000$9,537$0$9,537 less in Washington$173,645$183,182

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

Married filing jointly

IncomeAR state taxWA state taxDifferenceAR take-homeWA take-home
$75,000$2,587$0$2,587 less in Washington$62,036$64,623
$100,000$3,562$0$3,562 less in Washington$81,148$84,710
$150,000$5,512$0$5,512 less in Washington$117,673$123,185
$250,000$9,412$0$9,412 less in Washington$188,056$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?

Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Washington 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

Washington (single filers)

Washington does not tax wages. It taxes long-term capital gains above a threshold (7% and 9% tiers) and charges payroll premiums for paid family leave, which are not included here.

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

Arkansas vs Washington FAQ

Which has lower income tax, Arkansas or Washington?+

Washington is lower at $75,000: $0 of state income tax versus $2,712 in Arkansas. At $150,000 it is $5,637 in Arkansas and $0 in Washington. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Washington 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 Washington?+

A single filer keeping $75,493 a year in Arkansas would keep $79,180 in Washington after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $3,687 a year, or $307 a month.

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

Arkansas uses progressive rates up to 3.9%; Washington has no tax on wages. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.

Are local taxes included in this Arkansas vs Washington 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 Washington 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.