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 Massachusetts Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $1,023 less state income tax a year in Kentucky than in Massachusetts, which is about $85 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $2,148 in favor of Kentucky.
Kentucky: 3.5% flatMassachusetts: up to 9%Updated October 10, 2026
Compare Kentucky 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
Kentucky
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,326
Monthly take-home$4,924
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.
Kentucky vs Massachusetts: how the two systems differ
| Kentucky | Massachusetts | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Flat 3.5% | Progressive, 2 brackets |
| Top rate | 3.5% | 9% |
| Lowest rate | 3.5% | 5% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $3,360 standard deduction | $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 | KY state tax | MA state tax | Difference | KY take-home | MA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $932 | $1,280 | $348 less in Kentucky | $25,353 | $25,005 |
| $40,000 | $1,282 | $1,780 | $498 less in Kentucky | $33,038 | $32,540 |
| $50,000 | $1,632 | $2,280 | $648 less in Kentucky | $40,723 | $40,075 |
| $60,000 | $1,982 | $2,780 | $798 less in Kentucky | $48,408 | $47,610 |
| $75,000 | $2,507 | $3,530 | $1,023 less in Kentucky | $59,085 | $58,063 |
| $100,000 | $3,382 | $4,780 | $1,398 less in Kentucky | $75,798 | $74,400 |
| $150,000 | $5,132 | $7,280 | $2,148 less in Kentucky | $108,659 | $106,511 |
| $250,000 | $8,632 | $12,280 | $3,648 less in Kentucky | $174,550 | $170,902 |
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 | MA state tax | Difference | KY take-home | MA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $2,507 | $3,310 | $803 less in Kentucky | $62,115 | $61,313 |
| $100,000 | $3,382 | $4,560 | $1,178 less in Kentucky | $81,328 | $80,150 |
| $150,000 | $5,132 | $7,060 | $1,928 less in Kentucky | $118,053 | $116,125 |
| $250,000 | $8,632 | $12,060 | $3,428 less in Kentucky | $188,836 | $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, Kentucky 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
Kentucky (single filers)
| 3.5% | Over $0 |
Massachusetts (single filers)
| 5% | Up to $1,083,150 |
| 9% | Over $1,083,150 |
- Kentucky: Many Kentucky cities and counties also levy local occupational license taxes that are not included here.
- 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: Kentucky income tax calculator and Massachusetts income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Kentucky vs Massachusetts FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Kentucky or Massachusetts?+
Kentucky is lower at $75,000: $2,507 of state income tax versus $3,530 in Massachusetts. At $150,000 it is $5,132 in Kentucky and $7,280 in Massachusetts. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Kentucky 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 Kentucky versus Massachusetts?+
A single filer keeping $75,798 a year in Kentucky would keep $74,400 in Massachusetts after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $1,398 a year, or $116 a month.
How do the Kentucky and Massachusetts income tax systems differ?+
Kentucky uses a flat 3.5% 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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.