1Rhode Island
Lowest20.8%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,196
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $15,603
- Net income (annual)
- $59,397
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Kentucky vs Rhode Island Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $312 less state income tax a year in Rhode Island than in Kentucky, which is about $26 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $391 in favor of Kentucky.
Kentucky: 3.5% flatRhode Island: up to 5.99%Updated October 10, 2026
Compare Kentucky and Rhode Island 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
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💰 Monthly breakdown
Your take-home pay, spread across the year
Rhode Island
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,300
Monthly take-home$4,950
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 Rhode Island: how the two systems differ
| Kentucky | Rhode Island | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Flat 3.5% | Progressive, 3 brackets |
| Top rate | 3.5% | 5.99% |
| Lowest rate | 3.5% | 3.75% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $3,360 standard deduction | $11,200 standard deduction, $5,250 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 | RI state tax | Difference | KY take-home | RI take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $932 | $508 | $424 less in Rhode Island | $25,353 | $25,777 |
| $40,000 | $1,282 | $883 | $399 less in Rhode Island | $33,038 | $33,437 |
| $50,000 | $1,632 | $1,258 | $374 less in Rhode Island | $40,723 | $41,097 |
| $60,000 | $1,982 | $1,633 | $349 less in Rhode Island | $48,408 | $48,757 |
| $75,000 | $2,507 | $2,196 | $312 less in Rhode Island | $59,085 | $59,397 |
| $100,000 | $3,382 | $3,148 | $234 less in Rhode Island | $75,798 | $76,032 |
| $150,000 | $5,132 | $5,523 | $391 less in Kentucky | $108,659 | $108,268 |
| $250,000 | $8,632 | $10,857 | $2,225 less in Kentucky | $174,550 | $172,325 |
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 | RI state tax | Difference | KY take-home | RI take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $2,507 | $1,579 | $929 less in Rhode Island | $62,115 | $63,044 |
| $100,000 | $3,382 | $2,516 | $866 less in Rhode Island | $81,328 | $82,194 |
| $150,000 | $5,132 | $4,742 | $391 less in Rhode Island | $118,053 | $118,443 |
| $250,000 | $8,632 | $9,872 | $1,239 less in Kentucky | $188,836 | $187,596 |
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, Rhode Island is the lower-tax state up to roughly $120,000 of income, and Kentucky becomes the lower-tax state above that.
Rates side by side
Kentucky (single filers)
| 3.5% | Over $0 |
Rhode Island (single filers)
| 3.75% | Up to $82,050 |
| 4.75% | $82,051 to $186,450 |
| 5.99% | Over $186,450 |
- Kentucky: Many Kentucky cities and counties also levy local occupational license taxes that are not included here.
- Rhode Island: Rhode Island also charges a temporary disability insurance payroll tax that is not included here.
Full details for each state: Kentucky income tax calculator and Rhode Island income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Kentucky vs Rhode Island FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Kentucky or Rhode Island?+
Rhode Island is lower at $75,000: $2,196 of state income tax versus $2,507 in Kentucky. At $150,000 it is $5,132 in Kentucky and $5,523 in Rhode Island. For a single filer, Rhode Island is the lower-tax state up to roughly $120,000 of income, and Kentucky becomes the lower-tax state above that.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Kentucky versus Rhode Island?+
A single filer keeping $75,798 a year in Kentucky would keep $76,032 in Rhode Island after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $234 a year, or $20 a month.
How do the Kentucky and Rhode Island income tax systems differ?+
Kentucky uses a flat 3.5% rate; Rhode Island uses progressive rates up to 5.99%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this Kentucky vs Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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.