1Montana
Lowest21.7%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,877
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $16,284
- Net income (annual)
- $58,716
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $732 less state income tax a year in Montana than in Delaware, which is about $61 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $1,445 in favor of Montana.
Delaware: up to 6.6%Montana: up to 5.65%Updated October 10, 2026
Estimate for education only, not tax advice. 2026 federal and state rules, standard deductions, no local taxes. How we calculate.
Comparing 2 states, sorted by lowest overall tax rate.
21.7%
Overall effective tax rate
22.7%
Overall effective tax rate
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Your take-home pay, spread across the year
Montana
Delaware
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 | Montana | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Progressive, 6 brackets | Progressive, 2 brackets |
| Top rate | 6.6% | 5.65% |
| Lowest rate | 2.2% | 4.7% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $3,250 standard deduction, $110 personal credit | $16,100 standard deduction |
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 | MT state tax | Difference | DE take-home | MT take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $988 | $653 | $335 less in Montana | $25,297 | $25,632 |
| $40,000 | $1,543 | $1,123 | $420 less in Montana | $32,777 | $33,197 |
| $50,000 | $2,098 | $1,593 | $505 less in Montana | $40,257 | $40,762 |
| $60,000 | $2,653 | $2,063 | $590 less in Montana | $47,737 | $48,327 |
| $75,000 | $3,609 | $2,877 | $732 less in Montana | $57,984 | $58,716 |
| $100,000 | $5,259 | $4,289 | $970 less in Montana | $73,921 | $74,891 |
| $150,000 | $8,559 | $7,114 | $1,445 less in Montana | $105,232 | $106,677 |
| $250,000 | $15,159 | $12,764 | $2,395 less in Montana | $168,023 | $170,418 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
| Income | DE state tax | MT state tax | Difference | DE take-home | MT take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $3,285 | $2,012 | $1,273 less in Montana | $61,338 | $62,611 |
| $100,000 | $4,935 | $3,187 | $1,748 less in Montana | $79,776 | $81,523 |
| $150,000 | $8,235 | $5,753 | $2,481 less in Montana | $114,951 | $117,432 |
| $250,000 | $14,835 | $11,403 | $3,431 less in Montana | $182,634 | $186,065 |
Married filing jointly, 2026, federal standard deduction. Uses each state's joint brackets where they differ.
Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Montana charges the same or less state income tax than Delaware for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.
| 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 |
| 4.7% | Up to $47,500 |
| 5.65% | Over $47,500 |
Full details for each state: Delaware income tax calculator and Montana income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Montana is lower at $75,000: $2,877 of state income tax versus $3,609 in Delaware. At $150,000 it is $8,559 in Delaware and $7,114 in Montana. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Montana charges the same or less state income tax than Delaware for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.
A single filer keeping $73,921 a year in Delaware would keep $74,891 in Montana after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $970 a year, or $81 a month.
Delaware uses progressive rates up to 6.6%; Montana uses progressive rates up to 5.65%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
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.
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.
Last checked October 10, 2026. Confirm with your state tax agency before filing.
Estimates for education only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Not a substitute for a tax professional or your state revenue department.