1Utah
Lowest21.1%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,409
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $15,817
- Net income (annual)
- $59,184
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Kentucky vs Utah Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $98 less state income tax a year in Utah than in Kentucky, which is about $8 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $652 in favor of Kentucky.
Kentucky: 3.5% flatUtah: 4.5% flatUpdated October 10, 2026
Compare Kentucky and Utah 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
Utah
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,318
Monthly take-home$4,932
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 Utah: how the two systems differ
| Kentucky | Utah | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Flat 3.5% | Flat 4.5% |
| Top rate | 3.5% | 4.5% |
| Lowest rate | 3.5% | 4.5% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $3,360 standard deduction | $966 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.
| Income | KY state tax | UT state tax | Difference | KY take-home | UT take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $932 | $384 | $548 less in Utah | $25,353 | $25,901 |
| $40,000 | $1,282 | $834 | $448 less in Utah | $33,038 | $33,486 |
| $50,000 | $1,632 | $1,284 | $348 less in Utah | $40,723 | $41,071 |
| $60,000 | $1,982 | $1,734 | $248 less in Utah | $48,408 | $48,656 |
| $75,000 | $2,507 | $2,409 | $98 less in Utah | $59,085 | $59,184 |
| $100,000 | $3,382 | $3,534 | $152 less in Kentucky | $75,798 | $75,646 |
| $150,000 | $5,132 | $5,784 | $652 less in Kentucky | $108,659 | $108,007 |
| $250,000 | $8,632 | $10,284 | $1,652 less in Kentucky | $174,550 | $172,898 |
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 | UT state tax | Difference | KY take-home | UT take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $2,507 | $1,443 | $1,064 less in Utah | $62,115 | $63,180 |
| $100,000 | $3,382 | $2,568 | $814 less in Utah | $81,328 | $82,142 |
| $150,000 | $5,132 | $4,818 | $314 less in Utah | $118,053 | $118,367 |
| $250,000 | $8,632 | $9,318 | $686 less in Kentucky | $188,836 | $188,150 |
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, Utah is the lower-tax state up to roughly $85,000 of income, and Kentucky becomes the lower-tax state above that.
Rates side by side
Kentucky (single filers)
| 3.5% | Over $0 |
Utah (single filers)
| 4.5% | Over $0 |
- Kentucky: Many Kentucky cities and counties also levy local occupational license taxes that are not included here.
- Utah: Utah’s credit phases out as income rises, which is not modeled here.
Full details for each state: Kentucky income tax calculator and Utah income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Kentucky vs Utah FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Kentucky or Utah?+
Utah is lower at $75,000: $2,409 of state income tax versus $2,507 in Kentucky. At $150,000 it is $5,132 in Kentucky and $5,784 in Utah. For a single filer, Utah is the lower-tax state up to roughly $85,000 of income, and Kentucky becomes the lower-tax state above that.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Kentucky versus Utah?+
A single filer keeping $75,798 a year in Kentucky would keep $75,646 in Utah after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $152 a year, or $13 a month.
How do the Kentucky and Utah income tax systems differ?+
Kentucky uses a flat 3.5% rate; Utah uses a flat 4.5% rate. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this Kentucky vs Utah 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 Utah 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.