1Kentucky
Lowest21.2%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,507
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $15,915
- Net income (annual)
- $59,085
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Delaware vs Kentucky Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $1,102 less state income tax a year in Kentucky than in Delaware, which is about $92 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $3,427 in favor of Kentucky.
Delaware: up to 6.6%Kentucky: 3.5% flatUpdated October 10, 2026
Compare Delaware and Kentucky 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.
2Delaware
22.7%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $3,609
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $17,017
- Net income (annual)
- $57,984
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💰 Monthly breakdown
Your take-home pay, spread across the year
Kentucky
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,326
Monthly take-home$4,924
Delaware
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,418
Monthly take-home$4,832
Estimates use 2026 federal and state rates, the standard deduction for your filing status and no local taxes. Rankings use state income tax only.
Delaware vs Kentucky: how the two systems differ
| Delaware | Kentucky | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Progressive, 6 brackets | Flat 3.5% |
| Top rate | 6.6% | 3.5% |
| Lowest rate | 2.2% | 3.5% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $3,250 standard deduction, $110 personal credit | $3,360 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 | DE state tax | KY state tax | Difference | DE take-home | KY take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $988 | $932 | $56 less in Kentucky | $25,297 | $25,353 |
| $40,000 | $1,543 | $1,282 | $261 less in Kentucky | $32,777 | $33,038 |
| $50,000 | $2,098 | $1,632 | $466 less in Kentucky | $40,257 | $40,723 |
| $60,000 | $2,653 | $1,982 | $671 less in Kentucky | $47,737 | $48,408 |
| $75,000 | $3,609 | $2,507 | $1,102 less in Kentucky | $57,984 | $59,085 |
| $100,000 | $5,259 | $3,382 | $1,877 less in Kentucky | $73,921 | $75,798 |
| $150,000 | $8,559 | $5,132 | $3,427 less in Kentucky | $105,232 | $108,659 |
| $250,000 | $15,159 | $8,632 | $6,527 less in Kentucky | $168,023 | $174,550 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
Married filing jointly
| Income | DE state tax | KY state tax | Difference | DE take-home | KY take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $3,285 | $2,507 | $777 less in Kentucky | $61,338 | $62,115 |
| $100,000 | $4,935 | $3,382 | $1,552 less in Kentucky | $79,776 | $81,328 |
| $150,000 | $8,235 | $5,132 | $3,102 less in Kentucky | $114,951 | $118,053 |
| $250,000 | $14,835 | $8,632 | $6,202 less in Kentucky | $182,634 | $188,836 |
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, Delaware is the lower-tax state up to roughly $27,500 of income, and Kentucky becomes the lower-tax state above that.
Rates side by side
Delaware (single filers)
| 2.2% | $2,001 to $5,000 |
| 3.9% | $5,001 to $10,000 |
| 4.8% | $10,001 to $20,000 |
| 5.2% | $20,001 to $25,000 |
| 5.55% | $25,001 to $60,000 |
| 6.6% | Over $60,000 |
Kentucky (single filers)
| 3.5% | Over $0 |
- Delaware: Wilmington also levies a 1.25% city wage tax on people who work there.
- Kentucky: Many Kentucky cities and counties also levy local occupational license taxes that are not included here.
Full details for each state: Delaware income tax calculator and Kentucky income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Delaware vs Kentucky FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Delaware or Kentucky?+
Kentucky is lower at $75,000: $2,507 of state income tax versus $3,609 in Delaware. At $150,000 it is $8,559 in Delaware and $5,132 in Kentucky. For a single filer, Delaware is the lower-tax state up to roughly $27,500 of income, and Kentucky becomes the lower-tax state above that.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Delaware versus Kentucky?+
A single filer keeping $73,921 a year in Delaware would keep $75,798 in Kentucky after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $1,877 a year, or $156 a month.
How do the Delaware and Kentucky income tax systems differ?+
Delaware uses progressive rates up to 6.6%; Kentucky uses a flat 3.5% rate. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this Delaware vs Kentucky 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 Delaware to Kentucky 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.