Skip to content
Tax Calculator US

Tax year 2026 · state vs state

Iowa vs Texas Income Tax Comparison (2026)

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $2,198 less state income tax a year in Texas than in Iowa, which is about $183 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $5,048 in favor of Texas.

Iowa: 3.8% flatTexas: no state taxUpdated October 10, 2026

Compare Iowa and Texas 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.

1Texas

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

2Iowa

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

Advanced analysis (optional)

Choose which extra insights you would like to see.

💰 Monthly breakdown

Your take-home pay, spread across the year

Texas

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

Iowa

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,300
Monthly take-home$4,950

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 Texas: how the two systems differ

IowaTexas
Wage income taxFlat 3.8%No tax on wages
Top rate3.8%0%
Lowest rate3.8%0%
Deductions and credits (single)$16,100 standard deduction, $40 personal creditNot applicable

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 taxTX state taxDifferenceIA take-homeTX take-home
$30,000$488$0$488 less in Texas$25,797$26,285
$40,000$868$0$868 less in Texas$33,452$34,320
$50,000$1,248$0$1,248 less in Texas$41,107$42,355
$60,000$1,628$0$1,628 less in Texas$48,762$50,390
$75,000$2,198$0$2,198 less in Texas$59,394$61,593
$100,000$3,148$0$3,148 less in Texas$76,032$79,180
$150,000$5,048$0$5,048 less in Texas$108,743$113,791
$250,000$8,848$0$8,848 less in Texas$174,334$183,182

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

Married filing jointly

IncomeIA state taxTX state taxDifferenceIA take-homeTX take-home
$75,000$1,546$0$1,546 less in Texas$63,076$64,623
$100,000$2,496$0$2,496 less in Texas$82,214$84,710
$150,000$4,396$0$4,396 less in Texas$118,789$123,185
$250,000$8,196$0$8,196 less in Texas$189,272$197,468

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 Texas charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $17,500 of income. Above that, Texas is the lower-tax state.

Rates side by side

Iowa (single filers)

3.8%Over $0

Texas (single filers)

Texas has no state personal income tax. Its constitution restricts one. State revenue comes mainly from sales tax and property taxes set locally.

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

Iowa vs Texas FAQ

Which has lower income tax, Iowa or Texas?+

Texas is lower at $75,000: $0 of state income tax versus $2,198 in Iowa. At $150,000 it is $5,048 in Iowa and $0 in Texas. For a single filer, Iowa and Texas charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $17,500 of income. Above that, Texas is the lower-tax state.

How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Iowa versus Texas?+

A single filer keeping $76,032 a year in Iowa would keep $79,180 in Texas after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $3,148 a year, or $262 a month.

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

Iowa uses a flat 3.8% rate; Texas has no tax on wages. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.

Are local taxes included in this Iowa vs Texas 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 Texas 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.