1Tennessee
Lowest17.9%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $0
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $13,408
- Net income (annual)
- $61,593
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Kentucky vs Tennessee Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $2,507 less state income tax a year in Tennessee than in Kentucky, which is about $209 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $5,132 in favor of Tennessee.
Kentucky: 3.5% flatTennessee: no state taxUpdated October 10, 2026
Compare Kentucky and Tennessee 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
Tennessee
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,117
Monthly take-home$5,133
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 Tennessee: how the two systems differ
| Kentucky | Tennessee | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Flat 3.5% | No tax on wages |
| Top rate | 3.5% | 0% |
| Lowest rate | 3.5% | 0% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $3,360 standard deduction | Not applicable |
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 | TN state tax | Difference | KY take-home | TN take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $932 | $0 | $932 less in Tennessee | $25,353 | $26,285 |
| $40,000 | $1,282 | $0 | $1,282 less in Tennessee | $33,038 | $34,320 |
| $50,000 | $1,632 | $0 | $1,632 less in Tennessee | $40,723 | $42,355 |
| $60,000 | $1,982 | $0 | $1,982 less in Tennessee | $48,408 | $50,390 |
| $75,000 | $2,507 | $0 | $2,507 less in Tennessee | $59,085 | $61,593 |
| $100,000 | $3,382 | $0 | $3,382 less in Tennessee | $75,798 | $79,180 |
| $150,000 | $5,132 | $0 | $5,132 less in Tennessee | $108,659 | $113,791 |
| $250,000 | $8,632 | $0 | $8,632 less in Tennessee | $174,550 | $183,182 |
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 | TN state tax | Difference | KY take-home | TN take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $2,507 | $0 | $2,507 less in Tennessee | $62,115 | $64,623 |
| $100,000 | $3,382 | $0 | $3,382 less in Tennessee | $81,328 | $84,710 |
| $150,000 | $5,132 | $0 | $5,132 less in Tennessee | $118,053 | $123,185 |
| $250,000 | $8,632 | $0 | $8,632 less in Tennessee | $188,836 | $197,468 |
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?
Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Tennessee charges the same or less state income tax than Kentucky for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.
Rates side by side
Kentucky (single filers)
| 3.5% | Over $0 |
Tennessee (single filers)
Tennessee has no state personal income tax. The old “Hall tax” on interest and dividends was repealed after 2020.
- 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 Tennessee income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Kentucky vs Tennessee FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Kentucky or Tennessee?+
Tennessee is lower at $75,000: $0 of state income tax versus $2,507 in Kentucky. At $150,000 it is $5,132 in Kentucky and $0 in Tennessee. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Tennessee charges the same or less state income tax than Kentucky for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Kentucky versus Tennessee?+
A single filer keeping $75,798 a year in Kentucky would keep $79,180 in Tennessee after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $3,382 a year, or $282 a month.
How do the Kentucky and Tennessee income tax systems differ?+
Kentucky uses a flat 3.5% rate; Tennessee has no tax on wages. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this Kentucky vs Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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.