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Tax year 2026 · state vs state

Florida vs Kentucky Income Tax Comparison (2026)

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $2,507 less state income tax a year in Florida than in Kentucky, which is about $209 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $5,132 in favor of Florida.

Florida: no state taxKentucky: 3.5% flatUpdated October 10, 2026

Compare Florida 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.

1Florida

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

2Kentucky

21.2%

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

Advanced analysis (optional)

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💰 Monthly breakdown

Your take-home pay, spread across the year

Florida

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

Kentucky

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,326
Monthly take-home$4,924

Estimates use 2026 federal and state rates, the standard deduction for your filing status and no local taxes. Rankings use state income tax only.

Florida vs Kentucky: how the two systems differ

FloridaKentucky
Wage income taxNo tax on wagesFlat 3.5%
Top rate0%3.5%
Lowest rate0%3.5%
Deductions and credits (single)Not applicable$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.

IncomeFL state taxKY state taxDifferenceFL take-homeKY take-home
$30,000$0$932$932 less in Florida$26,285$25,353
$40,000$0$1,282$1,282 less in Florida$34,320$33,038
$50,000$0$1,632$1,632 less in Florida$42,355$40,723
$60,000$0$1,982$1,982 less in Florida$50,390$48,408
$75,000$0$2,507$2,507 less in Florida$61,593$59,085
$100,000$0$3,382$3,382 less in Florida$79,180$75,798
$150,000$0$5,132$5,132 less in Florida$113,791$108,659
$250,000$0$8,632$8,632 less in Florida$183,182$174,550

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

Married filing jointly

IncomeFL state taxKY state taxDifferenceFL take-homeKY take-home
$75,000$0$2,507$2,507 less in Florida$64,623$62,115
$100,000$0$3,382$3,382 less in Florida$84,710$81,328
$150,000$0$5,132$5,132 less in Florida$123,185$118,053
$250,000$0$8,632$8,632 less in Florida$197,468$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?

Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Florida charges the same or less state income tax than Kentucky for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.

Rates side by side

Florida (single filers)

Florida has no state personal income tax. State revenue comes mainly from sales tax and tourism-related taxes.

Kentucky (single filers)

3.5%Over $0

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

Florida vs Kentucky FAQ

Which has lower income tax, Florida or Kentucky?+

Florida is lower at $75,000: $0 of state income tax versus $2,507 in Kentucky. At $150,000 it is $0 in Florida and $5,132 in Kentucky. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Florida charges the same or less state income tax than Kentucky for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.

How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Florida versus Kentucky?+

A single filer keeping $79,180 a year in Florida would keep $75,798 in Kentucky after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $3,382 a year, or $282 a month.

How do the Florida and Kentucky income tax systems differ?+

Florida has no tax on wages; 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 Florida 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 Florida 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

Last checked October 10, 2026. Confirm with your state tax agency before filing.

More state comparisons

Estimates for education only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Not a substitute for a tax professional or your state revenue department.