1Mississippi
Lowest20.9%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,268
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $15,676
- Net income (annual)
- $59,325
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Kentucky vs Mississippi Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $239 less state income tax a year in Mississippi than in Kentucky, which is about $20 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $136 in favor of Kentucky.
Kentucky: 3.5% flatMississippi: 4% flatUpdated October 10, 2026
Compare Kentucky and Mississippi 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.
2Kentucky
21.2%
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
Advanced analysis (optional)
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💰 Monthly breakdown
Your take-home pay, spread across the year
Mississippi
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,306
Monthly take-home$4,944
Kentucky
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,326
Monthly take-home$4,924
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 Mississippi: how the two systems differ
| Kentucky | Mississippi | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Flat 3.5% | Flat 4% |
| Top rate | 3.5% | 4% |
| Lowest rate | 3.5% | 4% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $3,360 standard deduction | $2,300 standard deduction, $6,000 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 | MS state tax | Difference | KY take-home | MS take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $932 | $468 | $464 less in Mississippi | $25,353 | $25,817 |
| $40,000 | $1,282 | $868 | $414 less in Mississippi | $33,038 | $33,452 |
| $50,000 | $1,632 | $1,268 | $364 less in Mississippi | $40,723 | $41,087 |
| $60,000 | $1,982 | $1,668 | $314 less in Mississippi | $48,408 | $48,722 |
| $75,000 | $2,507 | $2,268 | $239 less in Mississippi | $59,085 | $59,325 |
| $100,000 | $3,382 | $3,268 | $114 less in Mississippi | $75,798 | $75,912 |
| $150,000 | $5,132 | $5,268 | $136 less in Kentucky | $108,659 | $108,523 |
| $250,000 | $8,632 | $9,268 | $636 less in Kentucky | $174,550 | $173,914 |
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 | MS state tax | Difference | KY take-home | MS take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $2,507 | $1,936 | $571 less in Mississippi | $62,115 | $62,687 |
| $100,000 | $3,382 | $2,936 | $446 less in Mississippi | $81,328 | $81,774 |
| $150,000 | $5,132 | $4,936 | $196 less in Mississippi | $118,053 | $118,249 |
| $250,000 | $8,632 | $8,936 | $304 less in Kentucky | $188,836 | $188,532 |
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, Mississippi is the lower-tax state up to roughly $125,000 of income, and Kentucky becomes the lower-tax state above that.
Rates side by side
Kentucky (single filers)
| 3.5% | Over $0 |
Mississippi (single filers)
| 4% | Over $10,000 |
- Kentucky: Many Kentucky cities and counties also levy local occupational license taxes that are not included here.
Full details for each state: Kentucky income tax calculator and Mississippi income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Kentucky vs Mississippi FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Kentucky or Mississippi?+
Mississippi is lower at $75,000: $2,268 of state income tax versus $2,507 in Kentucky. At $150,000 it is $5,132 in Kentucky and $5,268 in Mississippi. For a single filer, Mississippi is the lower-tax state up to roughly $125,000 of income, and Kentucky becomes the lower-tax state above that.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Kentucky versus Mississippi?+
A single filer keeping $75,798 a year in Kentucky would keep $75,912 in Mississippi after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $114 a year, or $10 a month.
How do the Kentucky and Mississippi income tax systems differ?+
Kentucky uses a flat 3.5% rate; Mississippi uses a flat 4% rate. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this Kentucky vs Mississippi 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 Mississippi 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.