1Iowa
Lowest20.8%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,198
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $15,606
- Net income (annual)
- $59,394
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Iowa vs Massachusetts Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $1,332 less state income tax a year in Iowa than in Massachusetts, which is about $111 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $2,232 in favor of Iowa.
Iowa: 3.8% flatMassachusetts: up to 9%Updated October 10, 2026
Compare Iowa 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.
2Massachusetts
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
Advanced analysis (optional)
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💰 Monthly breakdown
Your take-home pay, spread across the year
Iowa
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,300
Monthly take-home$4,950
Massachusetts
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,411
Monthly take-home$4,839
Estimates use 2026 federal and state rates, the standard deduction for your filing status and no local taxes. Rankings use state income tax only.
Iowa vs Massachusetts: how the two systems differ
| Iowa | Massachusetts | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Flat 3.8% | Progressive, 2 brackets |
| Top rate | 3.8% | 9% |
| Lowest rate | 3.8% | 5% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $16,100 standard deduction, $40 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.
| Income | IA state tax | MA state tax | Difference | IA take-home | MA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $488 | $1,280 | $792 less in Iowa | $25,797 | $25,005 |
| $40,000 | $868 | $1,780 | $912 less in Iowa | $33,452 | $32,540 |
| $50,000 | $1,248 | $2,280 | $1,032 less in Iowa | $41,107 | $40,075 |
| $60,000 | $1,628 | $2,780 | $1,152 less in Iowa | $48,762 | $47,610 |
| $75,000 | $2,198 | $3,530 | $1,332 less in Iowa | $59,394 | $58,063 |
| $100,000 | $3,148 | $4,780 | $1,632 less in Iowa | $76,032 | $74,400 |
| $150,000 | $5,048 | $7,280 | $2,232 less in Iowa | $108,743 | $106,511 |
| $250,000 | $8,848 | $12,280 | $3,432 less in Iowa | $174,334 | $170,902 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
Married filing jointly
| Income | IA state tax | MA state tax | Difference | IA take-home | MA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $1,546 | $3,310 | $1,764 less in Iowa | $63,076 | $61,313 |
| $100,000 | $2,496 | $4,560 | $2,064 less in Iowa | $82,214 | $80,150 |
| $150,000 | $4,396 | $7,060 | $2,664 less in Iowa | $118,789 | $116,125 |
| $250,000 | $8,196 | $12,060 | $3,864 less in Iowa | $189,272 | $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?
Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Iowa charges the same or less state income tax than Massachusetts for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.
Rates side by side
Iowa (single filers)
| 3.8% | Over $0 |
Massachusetts (single filers)
| 5% | Up to $1,083,150 |
| 9% | Over $1,083,150 |
- Massachusetts: The 9% rate is the 4% “millionaires tax” surtax on income above the threshold, added to the 5% base rate.
Full details for each state: Iowa income tax calculator and Massachusetts income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Iowa vs Massachusetts FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Iowa or Massachusetts?+
Iowa is lower at $75,000: $2,198 of state income tax versus $3,530 in Massachusetts. At $150,000 it is $5,048 in Iowa and $7,280 in Massachusetts. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Iowa charges the same or less state income tax than Massachusetts for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Iowa versus Massachusetts?+
A single filer keeping $76,032 a year in Iowa would keep $74,400 in Massachusetts after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $1,632 a year, or $136 a month.
How do the Iowa and Massachusetts income tax systems differ?+
Iowa uses a flat 3.8% rate; 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 Iowa 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 Iowa 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
- 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.