1Kentucky
Lowest21.2%
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
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Kentucky vs Wisconsin Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $87 less state income tax a year in Kentucky than in Wisconsin, which is about $7 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $1,437 in favor of Kentucky.
Kentucky: 3.5% flatWisconsin: up to 7.65%Updated October 10, 2026
Compare Kentucky and Wisconsin 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.
2Wisconsin
21.3%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,594
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $16,002
- Net income (annual)
- $58,998
Advanced analysis (optional)
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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
Wisconsin
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,333
Monthly take-home$4,917
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 Wisconsin: how the two systems differ
| Kentucky | Wisconsin | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Flat 3.5% | Progressive, 4 brackets |
| Top rate | 3.5% | 7.65% |
| Lowest rate | 3.5% | 3.5% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $3,360 standard deduction | $13,960 standard deduction, $700 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 | WI state tax | Difference | KY take-home | WI take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $932 | $539 | $393 less in Wisconsin | $25,353 | $25,746 |
| $40,000 | $1,282 | $979 | $303 less in Wisconsin | $33,038 | $33,341 |
| $50,000 | $1,632 | $1,419 | $213 less in Wisconsin | $40,723 | $40,936 |
| $60,000 | $1,982 | $1,859 | $123 less in Wisconsin | $48,408 | $48,531 |
| $75,000 | $2,507 | $2,594 | $87 less in Kentucky | $59,085 | $58,998 |
| $100,000 | $3,382 | $3,919 | $537 less in Kentucky | $75,798 | $75,261 |
| $150,000 | $5,132 | $6,569 | $1,437 less in Kentucky | $108,659 | $107,222 |
| $250,000 | $8,632 | $11,869 | $3,237 less in Kentucky | $174,550 | $171,313 |
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 | WI state tax | Difference | KY take-home | WI take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $2,507 | $1,920 | $587 less in Wisconsin | $62,115 | $62,702 |
| $100,000 | $3,382 | $3,052 | $331 less in Wisconsin | $81,328 | $81,658 |
| $150,000 | $5,132 | $5,702 | $569 less in Kentucky | $118,053 | $117,483 |
| $250,000 | $8,632 | $11,002 | $2,369 less in Kentucky | $188,836 | $186,466 |
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, Wisconsin is the lower-tax state up to roughly $72,500 of income, and Kentucky becomes the lower-tax state above that.
Rates side by side
Kentucky (single filers)
| 3.5% | Over $0 |
Wisconsin (single filers)
| 3.5% | Up to $15,110 |
| 4.4% | $15,111 to $51,950 |
| 5.3% | $51,951 to $332,720 |
| 7.65% | Over $332,720 |
- 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 Wisconsin income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Kentucky vs Wisconsin FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Kentucky or Wisconsin?+
Kentucky is lower at $75,000: $2,507 of state income tax versus $2,594 in Wisconsin. At $150,000 it is $5,132 in Kentucky and $6,569 in Wisconsin. For a single filer, Wisconsin is the lower-tax state up to roughly $72,500 of income, and Kentucky becomes the lower-tax state above that.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Kentucky versus Wisconsin?+
A single filer keeping $75,798 a year in Kentucky would keep $75,261 in Wisconsin after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $537 a year, or $45 a month.
How do the Kentucky and Wisconsin income tax systems differ?+
Kentucky uses a flat 3.5% rate; Wisconsin uses progressive rates up to 7.65%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this Kentucky vs Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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.