1North Carolina
Lowest21.2%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,484
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $15,891
- Net income (annual)
- $59,109
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Kentucky vs North Carolina Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $24 less state income tax a year in North Carolina than in Kentucky, which is about $2 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $344 in favor of Kentucky.
Kentucky: 3.5% flatNorth Carolina: 3.99% flatUpdated October 10, 2026
Compare Kentucky and North Carolina 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
North Carolina
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,324
Monthly take-home$4,926
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 North Carolina: how the two systems differ
| Kentucky | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Flat 3.5% | Flat 3.99% |
| Top rate | 3.5% | 3.99% |
| Lowest rate | 3.5% | 3.99% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $3,360 standard deduction | $12,750 standard deduction |
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 | NC state tax | Difference | KY take-home | NC take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $932 | $688 | $244 less in North Carolina | $25,353 | $25,597 |
| $40,000 | $1,282 | $1,087 | $195 less in North Carolina | $33,038 | $33,233 |
| $50,000 | $1,632 | $1,486 | $146 less in North Carolina | $40,723 | $40,869 |
| $60,000 | $1,982 | $1,885 | $97 less in North Carolina | $48,408 | $48,505 |
| $75,000 | $2,507 | $2,484 | $24 less in North Carolina | $59,085 | $59,109 |
| $100,000 | $3,382 | $3,481 | $99 less in Kentucky | $75,798 | $75,699 |
| $150,000 | $5,132 | $5,476 | $344 less in Kentucky | $108,659 | $108,315 |
| $250,000 | $8,632 | $9,466 | $834 less in Kentucky | $174,550 | $173,716 |
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 | NC state tax | Difference | KY take-home | NC take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $2,507 | $1,975 | $532 less in North Carolina | $62,115 | $62,647 |
| $100,000 | $3,382 | $2,973 | $410 less in North Carolina | $81,328 | $81,737 |
| $150,000 | $5,132 | $4,968 | $165 less in North Carolina | $118,053 | $118,217 |
| $250,000 | $8,632 | $8,958 | $325 less in Kentucky | $188,836 | $188,510 |
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, North Carolina is the lower-tax state up to roughly $82,500 of income, and Kentucky becomes the lower-tax state above that.
Rates side by side
Kentucky (single filers)
| 3.5% | Over $0 |
North Carolina (single filers)
| 3.99% | Over $0 |
- 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 North Carolina income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Kentucky vs North Carolina FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Kentucky or North Carolina?+
North Carolina is lower at $75,000: $2,484 of state income tax versus $2,507 in Kentucky. At $150,000 it is $5,132 in Kentucky and $5,476 in North Carolina. For a single filer, North Carolina is the lower-tax state up to roughly $82,500 of income, and Kentucky becomes the lower-tax state above that.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Kentucky versus North Carolina?+
A single filer keeping $75,798 a year in Kentucky would keep $75,699 in North Carolina after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $99 a year, or $8 a month.
How do the Kentucky and North Carolina income tax systems differ?+
Kentucky uses a flat 3.5% rate; North Carolina uses a flat 3.99% rate. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this Kentucky vs North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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.