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 New Jersey Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $90 less state income tax a year in Kentucky than in New Jersey, which is about $8 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $2,234 in favor of Kentucky.
Kentucky: 3.5% flatNew Jersey: up to 10.75%Updated October 10, 2026
Compare Kentucky and New Jersey 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.
2New Jersey
21.3%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,598
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $16,005
- Net income (annual)
- $58,995
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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
New Jersey
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,334
Monthly take-home$4,916
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 New Jersey: how the two systems differ
| Kentucky | New Jersey | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Flat 3.5% | Progressive, 7 brackets |
| Top rate | 3.5% | 10.75% |
| Lowest rate | 3.5% | 1.4% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $3,360 standard deduction | $1,000 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 | NJ state tax | Difference | KY take-home | NJ take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $932 | $438 | $495 less in New Jersey | $25,353 | $25,848 |
| $40,000 | $1,282 | $683 | $600 less in New Jersey | $33,038 | $33,638 |
| $50,000 | $1,632 | $1,215 | $417 less in New Jersey | $40,723 | $41,140 |
| $60,000 | $1,982 | $1,768 | $214 less in New Jersey | $48,408 | $48,622 |
| $75,000 | $2,507 | $2,598 | $90 less in Kentucky | $59,085 | $58,995 |
| $100,000 | $3,382 | $4,182 | $799 less in Kentucky | $75,798 | $74,998 |
| $150,000 | $5,132 | $7,367 | $2,234 less in Kentucky | $108,659 | $106,424 |
| $250,000 | $8,632 | $13,737 | $5,104 less in Kentucky | $174,550 | $169,445 |
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 | NJ state tax | Difference | KY take-home | NJ take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $2,507 | $1,400 | $1,107 less in New Jersey | $62,115 | $63,223 |
| $100,000 | $3,382 | $2,640 | $742 less in New Jersey | $81,328 | $82,070 |
| $150,000 | $5,132 | $5,405 | $273 less in Kentucky | $118,053 | $117,780 |
| $250,000 | $8,632 | $11,759 | $3,126 less in Kentucky | $188,836 | $185,709 |
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, New Jersey is the lower-tax state up to roughly $72,500 of income, and Kentucky becomes the lower-tax state above that.
Rates side by side
Kentucky (single filers)
| 3.5% | Over $0 |
New Jersey (single filers)
| 1.4% | Up to $20,000 |
| 1.75% | $20,001 to $35,000 |
| 3.5% | $35,001 to $40,000 |
| 5.53% | $40,001 to $75,000 |
| 6.37% | $75,001 to $500,000 |
| 8.97% | $500,001 to $1,000,000 |
| 10.75% | Over $1,000,000 |
- 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 New Jersey income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Kentucky vs New Jersey FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Kentucky or New Jersey?+
Kentucky is lower at $75,000: $2,507 of state income tax versus $2,598 in New Jersey. At $150,000 it is $5,132 in Kentucky and $7,367 in New Jersey. For a single filer, New Jersey is the lower-tax state up to roughly $72,500 of income, and Kentucky becomes the lower-tax state above that.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Kentucky versus New Jersey?+
A single filer keeping $75,798 a year in Kentucky would keep $74,998 in New Jersey after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $799 a year, or $67 a month.
How do the Kentucky and New Jersey income tax systems differ?+
Kentucky uses a flat 3.5% rate; New Jersey uses progressive rates up to 10.75%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this Kentucky vs New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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.