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 North Carolina Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $286 less state income tax a year in Iowa than in North Carolina, which is about $24 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $428 in favor of Iowa.
Iowa: 3.8% flatNorth Carolina: 3.99% flatUpdated October 10, 2026
Compare Iowa and North Carolina 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.
2North Carolina
21.2%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,484
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $15,891
- Net income (annual)
- $59,109
Advanced analysis (optional)
Choose which extra insights you would like to see.
💰 Monthly breakdown
Your take-home pay, spread across the year
Iowa
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,300
Monthly take-home$4,950
North Carolina
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,324
Monthly take-home$4,926
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 North Carolina: how the two systems differ
| Iowa | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Flat 3.8% | Flat 3.99% |
| Top rate | 3.8% | 3.99% |
| Lowest rate | 3.8% | 3.99% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $16,100 standard deduction, $40 personal credit | $12,750 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.
| Income | IA state tax | NC state tax | Difference | IA take-home | NC take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $488 | $688 | $200 less in Iowa | $25,797 | $25,597 |
| $40,000 | $868 | $1,087 | $219 less in Iowa | $33,452 | $33,233 |
| $50,000 | $1,248 | $1,486 | $238 less in Iowa | $41,107 | $40,869 |
| $60,000 | $1,628 | $1,885 | $257 less in Iowa | $48,762 | $48,505 |
| $75,000 | $2,198 | $2,484 | $286 less in Iowa | $59,394 | $59,109 |
| $100,000 | $3,148 | $3,481 | $333 less in Iowa | $76,032 | $75,699 |
| $150,000 | $5,048 | $5,476 | $428 less in Iowa | $108,743 | $108,315 |
| $250,000 | $8,848 | $9,466 | $618 less in Iowa | $174,334 | $173,716 |
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 | NC state tax | Difference | IA take-home | NC take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $1,546 | $1,975 | $429 less in Iowa | $63,076 | $62,647 |
| $100,000 | $2,496 | $2,973 | $476 less in Iowa | $82,214 | $81,737 |
| $150,000 | $4,396 | $4,968 | $571 less in Iowa | $118,789 | $118,217 |
| $250,000 | $8,196 | $8,958 | $761 less in Iowa | $189,272 | $188,510 |
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, Iowa and North Carolina charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $15,000 of income. Above that, Iowa is the lower-tax state.
Rates side by side
Iowa (single filers)
| 3.8% | Over $0 |
North Carolina (single filers)
| 3.99% | Over $0 |
Full details for each state: Iowa income tax calculator and North Carolina income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Iowa vs North Carolina FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Iowa or North Carolina?+
Iowa is lower at $75,000: $2,198 of state income tax versus $2,484 in North Carolina. At $150,000 it is $5,048 in Iowa and $5,476 in North Carolina. For a single filer, Iowa and North Carolina charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $15,000 of income. Above that, Iowa is the lower-tax state.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Iowa versus North Carolina?+
A single filer keeping $76,032 a year in Iowa would keep $75,699 in North Carolina after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $333 a year, or $28 a month.
How do the Iowa and North Carolina income tax systems differ?+
Iowa uses a flat 3.8% rate; North Carolina uses a flat 3.99% rate. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this Iowa vs North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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.
More state comparisons
- Iowa vs Texas
- California vs Iowa
- Florida vs Iowa
- Iowa vs New York
- North Carolina vs Texas
- California vs North Carolina
- Florida vs North Carolina
- New York vs North Carolina
- All state comparisons →
Estimates for education only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Not a substitute for a tax professional or your state revenue department.