1Kentucky
Lowest21.2%
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
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Kentucky vs Maryland Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $691 less state income tax a year in Kentucky than in Maryland, which is about $58 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $1,784 in favor of Kentucky.
Kentucky: 3.5% flatMaryland: up to 6.5%Updated October 10, 2026
Compare Kentucky and Maryland 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.
2Maryland
22.1%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $3,199
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $16,606
- Net income (annual)
- $58,394
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💰 Monthly breakdown
Your take-home pay, spread across the year
Kentucky
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,326
Monthly take-home$4,924
Maryland
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,384
Monthly take-home$4,866
Estimates use 2026 federal and state rates, the standard deduction for your filing status and no local taxes. Rankings use state income tax only.
Kentucky vs Maryland: how the two systems differ
| Kentucky | Maryland | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Flat 3.5% | Progressive, 10 brackets |
| Top rate | 3.5% | 6.5% |
| Lowest rate | 3.5% | 2% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $3,360 standard deduction | $3,350 standard deduction, $3,200 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 | KY state tax | MD state tax | Difference | KY take-home | MD take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $932 | $1,061 | $129 less in Kentucky | $25,353 | $25,224 |
| $40,000 | $1,282 | $1,536 | $254 less in Kentucky | $33,038 | $32,784 |
| $50,000 | $1,632 | $2,011 | $379 less in Kentucky | $40,723 | $40,344 |
| $60,000 | $1,982 | $2,486 | $504 less in Kentucky | $48,408 | $47,904 |
| $75,000 | $2,507 | $3,199 | $691 less in Kentucky | $59,085 | $58,394 |
| $100,000 | $3,382 | $4,386 | $1,004 less in Kentucky | $75,798 | $74,794 |
| $150,000 | $5,132 | $6,916 | $1,784 less in Kentucky | $108,659 | $106,875 |
| $250,000 | $8,632 | $12,400 | $3,767 less in Kentucky | $174,550 | $170,782 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
Married filing jointly
| Income | KY state tax | MD state tax | Difference | KY take-home | MD take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $2,507 | $2,888 | $380 less in Kentucky | $62,115 | $61,735 |
| $100,000 | $3,382 | $4,075 | $693 less in Kentucky | $81,328 | $80,635 |
| $150,000 | $5,132 | $6,450 | $1,318 less in Kentucky | $118,053 | $116,735 |
| $250,000 | $8,632 | $11,602 | $2,970 less in Kentucky | $188,836 | $185,866 |
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, Maryland is the lower-tax state up to roughly $20,000 of income, and Kentucky becomes the lower-tax state above that.
Rates side by side
Kentucky (single filers)
| 3.5% | Over $0 |
Maryland (single filers)
| 2% | Up to $1,000 |
| 3% | $1,001 to $2,000 |
| 4% | $2,001 to $3,000 |
| 4.75% | $3,001 to $100,000 |
| 5% | $100,001 to $125,000 |
| 5.25% | $125,001 to $150,000 |
| 5.5% | $150,001 to $250,000 |
| 5.75% | $250,001 to $500,000 |
| 6.25% | $500,001 to $1,000,000 |
| 6.5% | Over $1,000,000 |
- Kentucky: Many Kentucky cities and counties also levy local occupational license taxes that are not included here.
- Maryland: Maryland counties and Baltimore City add a local income tax of roughly 2.25% to 3.3%, which is not included here.
Full details for each state: Kentucky income tax calculator and Maryland income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Kentucky vs Maryland FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Kentucky or Maryland?+
Kentucky is lower at $75,000: $2,507 of state income tax versus $3,199 in Maryland. At $150,000 it is $5,132 in Kentucky and $6,916 in Maryland. For a single filer, Maryland is the lower-tax state up to roughly $20,000 of income, and Kentucky becomes the lower-tax state above that.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Kentucky versus Maryland?+
A single filer keeping $75,798 a year in Kentucky would keep $74,794 in Maryland after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $1,004 a year, or $84 a month.
How do the Kentucky and Maryland income tax systems differ?+
Kentucky uses a flat 3.5% rate; Maryland uses progressive rates up to 6.5%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this Kentucky vs Maryland 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 Kentucky to Maryland 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.