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Tax year 2026 · state vs state

Delaware vs Massachusetts Income Tax Comparison (2026)

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $79 less state income tax a year in Massachusetts than in Delaware, which is about $7 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $1,279 in favor of Massachusetts.

Delaware: up to 6.6%Massachusetts: up to 9%Updated October 10, 2026

Compare Delaware and Massachusetts 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.

1Massachusetts

Lowest

22.6%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$3,530
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$16,938
Net income (annual)
$58,063

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

Massachusetts

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,411
Monthly take-home$4,839

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 Massachusetts: how the two systems differ

DelawareMassachusetts
Wage income taxProgressive, 6 bracketsProgressive, 2 brackets
Top rate6.6%9%
Lowest rate2.2%5%
Deductions and credits (single)$3,250 standard deduction, $110 personal credit$4,400 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.

IncomeDE state taxMA state taxDifferenceDE take-homeMA take-home
$30,000$988$1,280$292 less in Delaware$25,297$25,005
$40,000$1,543$1,780$237 less in Delaware$32,777$32,540
$50,000$2,098$2,280$182 less in Delaware$40,257$40,075
$60,000$2,653$2,780$127 less in Delaware$47,737$47,610
$75,000$3,609$3,530$79 less in Massachusetts$57,984$58,063
$100,000$5,259$4,780$479 less in Massachusetts$73,921$74,400
$150,000$8,559$7,280$1,279 less in Massachusetts$105,232$106,511
$250,000$15,159$12,280$2,879 less in Massachusetts$168,023$170,902

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

Married filing jointly

IncomeDE state taxMA state taxDifferenceDE take-homeMA take-home
$75,000$3,285$3,310$26 less in Delaware$61,338$61,313
$100,000$4,935$4,560$375 less in Massachusetts$79,776$80,150
$150,000$8,235$7,060$1,175 less in Massachusetts$114,951$116,125
$250,000$14,835$12,060$2,775 less in Massachusetts$182,634$185,408

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 $72,500 of income, and Massachusetts 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

Massachusetts (single filers)

5%Up to $1,083,150
9%Over $1,083,150

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

Delaware vs Massachusetts FAQ

Which has lower income tax, Delaware or Massachusetts?+

Massachusetts is lower at $75,000: $3,530 of state income tax versus $3,609 in Delaware. At $150,000 it is $8,559 in Delaware and $7,280 in Massachusetts. For a single filer, Delaware is the lower-tax state up to roughly $72,500 of income, and Massachusetts becomes the lower-tax state above that.

How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Delaware versus Massachusetts?+

A single filer keeping $73,921 a year in Delaware would keep $74,400 in Massachusetts after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $479 a year, or $40 a month.

How do the Delaware and Massachusetts income tax systems differ?+

Delaware uses progressive rates up to 6.6%; Massachusetts uses progressive rates up to 9%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.

Are local taxes included in this Delaware vs Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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.