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Tax year 2026 · state vs state

Kentucky vs Oregon Income Tax Comparison (2026)

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $3,225 less state income tax a year in Kentucky than in Oregon, which is about $269 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $7,417 in favor of Kentucky.

Kentucky: 3.5% flatOregon: up to 9.9%Updated October 10, 2026

Compare Kentucky and Oregon 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.

1Kentucky

Lowest

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

2Oregon

25.5%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$5,733
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$19,140
Net income (annual)
$55,860

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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

Oregon

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,595
Monthly take-home$4,655

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 Oregon: how the two systems differ

KentuckyOregon
Wage income taxFlat 3.5%Progressive, 4 brackets
Top rate3.5%9.9%
Lowest rate3.5%4.75%
Deductions and credits (single)$3,360 standard deduction$2,910 standard deduction, $256 personal credit

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.

IncomeKY state taxOR state taxDifferenceKY take-homeOR take-home
$30,000$932$1,795$863 less in Kentucky$25,353$24,490
$40,000$1,282$2,670$1,388 less in Kentucky$33,038$31,650
$50,000$1,632$3,545$1,913 less in Kentucky$40,723$38,810
$60,000$1,982$4,420$2,438 less in Kentucky$48,408$45,970
$75,000$2,507$5,733$3,225 less in Kentucky$59,085$55,860
$100,000$3,382$7,920$4,538 less in Kentucky$75,798$71,260
$150,000$5,132$12,549$7,417 less in Kentucky$108,659$101,242
$250,000$8,632$22,449$13,817 less in Kentucky$174,550$160,733

Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.

Married filing jointly

IncomeKY state taxOR state taxDifferenceKY take-homeOR take-home
$75,000$2,507$4,903$2,396 less in Kentucky$62,115$59,719
$100,000$3,382$7,091$3,708 less in Kentucky$81,328$77,619
$150,000$5,132$11,466$6,333 less in Kentucky$118,053$111,719
$250,000$8,632$20,216$11,583 less in Kentucky$188,836$177,252

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, Oregon is the lower-tax state up to roughly $15,000 of income, and Kentucky becomes the lower-tax state above that.

Rates side by side

Kentucky (single filers)

3.5%Over $0

Oregon (single filers)

4.75%Up to $4,550
6.75%$4,551 to $11,400
8.75%$11,401 to $125,000
9.9%Over $125,000

Full details for each state: Kentucky income tax calculator and Oregon income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.

Kentucky vs Oregon FAQ

Which has lower income tax, Kentucky or Oregon?+

Kentucky is lower at $75,000: $2,507 of state income tax versus $5,733 in Oregon. At $150,000 it is $5,132 in Kentucky and $12,549 in Oregon. For a single filer, Oregon is the lower-tax state up to roughly $15,000 of income, and Kentucky becomes the lower-tax state above that.

How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Kentucky versus Oregon?+

A single filer keeping $75,798 a year in Kentucky would keep $71,260 in Oregon after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $4,538 a year, or $378 a month.

How do the Kentucky and Oregon income tax systems differ?+

Kentucky uses a flat 3.5% rate; Oregon uses progressive rates up to 9.9%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.

Are local taxes included in this Kentucky vs Oregon 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 Oregon 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

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.