1West Virginia
Lowest21.5%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,680
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $16,088
- Net income (annual)
- $58,912
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Arkansas vs West Virginia Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $32 less state income tax a year in West Virginia than in Arkansas, which is about $3 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $658 in favor of Arkansas.
Arkansas: up to 3.9%West Virginia: up to 4.82%Updated October 10, 2026
Compare Arkansas and West Virginia 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
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💰 Monthly breakdown
Your take-home pay, spread across the year
West Virginia
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,341
Monthly take-home$4,909
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 West Virginia: how the two systems differ
| Arkansas | West Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Progressive, 2 brackets | Progressive, 5 brackets |
| Top rate | 3.9% | 4.82% |
| Lowest rate | 2% | 2.22% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $2,470 standard deduction, $29 personal credit | $2,000 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 | WV state tax | Difference | AR take-home | WV take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $957 | $766 | $191 less in West Virginia | $25,328 | $25,519 |
| $40,000 | $1,347 | $1,099 | $248 less in West Virginia | $32,973 | $33,221 |
| $50,000 | $1,737 | $1,521 | $217 less in West Virginia | $40,618 | $40,834 |
| $60,000 | $2,127 | $1,965 | $163 less in West Virginia | $48,263 | $48,425 |
| $75,000 | $2,712 | $2,680 | $32 less in West Virginia | $58,880 | $58,912 |
| $100,000 | $3,687 | $3,885 | $198 less in Arkansas | $75,493 | $75,295 |
| $150,000 | $5,637 | $6,295 | $658 less in Arkansas | $108,154 | $107,496 |
| $250,000 | $9,537 | $11,115 | $1,578 less in Arkansas | $173,645 | $172,067 |
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 | WV state tax | Difference | AR take-home | WV take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $2,587 | $2,584 | $3 less in West Virginia | $62,036 | $62,039 |
| $100,000 | $3,562 | $3,789 | $227 less in Arkansas | $81,148 | $80,921 |
| $150,000 | $5,512 | $6,199 | $687 less in Arkansas | $117,673 | $116,986 |
| $250,000 | $9,412 | $11,019 | $1,607 less in Arkansas | $188,056 | $186,449 |
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, Arkansas and West Virginia charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $12,500 of income. Above that, West Virginia is the lower-tax state. The order flips again near $80,000, so the better state depends on where your income falls.
Rates side by side
Arkansas (single filers)
| 2% | Up to $4,600 |
| 3.9% | Over $4,600 |
West Virginia (single filers)
| 2.22% | Up to $10,000 |
| 2.96% | $10,001 to $25,000 |
| 3.33% | $25,001 to $40,000 |
| 4.44% | $40,001 to $60,000 |
| 4.82% | Over $60,000 |
Full details for each state: Arkansas income tax calculator and West Virginia income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Arkansas vs West Virginia FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Arkansas or West Virginia?+
West Virginia is lower at $75,000: $2,680 of state income tax versus $2,712 in Arkansas. At $150,000 it is $5,637 in Arkansas and $6,295 in West Virginia. For a single filer, Arkansas and West Virginia charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $12,500 of income. Above that, West Virginia is the lower-tax state. The order flips again near $80,000, so the better state depends on where your income falls.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Arkansas versus West Virginia?+
A single filer keeping $75,493 a year in Arkansas would keep $75,295 in West Virginia after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $198 a year, or $16 a month.
How do the Arkansas and West Virginia income tax systems differ?+
Arkansas uses progressive rates up to 3.9%; West Virginia uses progressive rates up to 4.82%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this Arkansas vs West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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.