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Tax year 2026 · state vs state

Iowa vs Michigan Income Tax Comparison (2026)

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $739 less state income tax a year in Iowa than in Michigan, which is about $62 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $1,076 in favor of Iowa.

Iowa: 3.8% flatMichigan: 4.25% flatUpdated October 10, 2026

Compare Iowa and Michigan 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.

1Iowa

Lowest

20.8%

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

2Michigan

21.8%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$2,937
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$16,344
Net income (annual)
$58,656

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

Michigan

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,362
Monthly take-home$4,888

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 Michigan: how the two systems differ

IowaMichigan
Wage income taxFlat 3.8%Flat 4.25%
Top rate3.8%4.25%
Lowest rate3.8%4.25%
Deductions and credits (single)$16,100 standard deduction, $40 personal credit$5,900 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.

IncomeIA state taxMI state taxDifferenceIA take-homeMI take-home
$30,000$488$1,024$536 less in Iowa$25,797$25,261
$40,000$868$1,449$581 less in Iowa$33,452$32,871
$50,000$1,248$1,874$626 less in Iowa$41,107$40,481
$60,000$1,628$2,299$671 less in Iowa$48,762$48,091
$75,000$2,198$2,937$739 less in Iowa$59,394$58,656
$100,000$3,148$3,999$851 less in Iowa$76,032$75,181
$150,000$5,048$6,124$1,076 less in Iowa$108,743$107,667
$250,000$8,848$10,374$1,526 less in Iowa$174,334$172,808

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

Married filing jointly

IncomeIA state taxMI state taxDifferenceIA take-homeMI take-home
$75,000$1,546$2,686$1,140 less in Iowa$63,076$61,937
$100,000$2,496$3,749$1,252 less in Iowa$82,214$80,962
$150,000$4,396$5,874$1,477 less in Iowa$118,789$117,312
$250,000$8,196$10,124$1,927 less in Iowa$189,272$187,345

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 Michigan 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

Michigan (single filers)

4.25%Over $0

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

Iowa vs Michigan FAQ

Which has lower income tax, Iowa or Michigan?+

Iowa is lower at $75,000: $2,198 of state income tax versus $2,937 in Michigan. At $150,000 it is $5,048 in Iowa and $6,124 in Michigan. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Iowa charges the same or less state income tax than Michigan 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 Michigan?+

A single filer keeping $76,032 a year in Iowa would keep $75,181 in Michigan after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $851 a year, or $71 a month.

How do the Iowa and Michigan income tax systems differ?+

Iowa uses a flat 3.8% rate; Michigan uses a flat 4.25% rate. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.

Are local taxes included in this Iowa vs Michigan 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 Michigan 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.