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Tax year 2026 · state vs state

Louisiana vs Pennsylvania Income Tax Comparison (2026)

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $439 less state income tax a year in Louisiana than in Pennsylvania, which is about $37 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $491 in favor of Louisiana.

Louisiana: 3% flatPennsylvania: 3.07% flatUpdated October 10, 2026

Compare Louisiana and Pennsylvania 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.

1Louisiana

Lowest

20.4%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$1,864
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$15,271
Net income (annual)
$59,729

2Pennsylvania

20.9%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$2,303
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$15,710
Net income (annual)
$59,290

Advanced analysis (optional)

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💰 Monthly breakdown

Your take-home pay, spread across the year

Louisiana

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,273
Monthly take-home$4,977

Pennsylvania

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,309
Monthly take-home$4,941

Estimates use 2026 federal and state rates, the standard deduction for your filing status and no local taxes. Rankings use state income tax only.

Louisiana vs Pennsylvania: how the two systems differ

LouisianaPennsylvania
Wage income taxFlat 3%Flat 3.07%
Top rate3%3.07%
Lowest rate3%3.07%
Deductions and credits (single)$12,875 standard deductionNone in this model

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.

IncomeLA state taxPA state taxDifferenceLA take-homePA take-home
$30,000$514$921$407 less in Louisiana$25,771$25,364
$40,000$814$1,228$414 less in Louisiana$33,506$33,092
$50,000$1,114$1,535$421 less in Louisiana$41,241$40,820
$60,000$1,414$1,842$428 less in Louisiana$48,976$48,548
$75,000$1,864$2,303$439 less in Louisiana$59,729$59,290
$100,000$2,614$3,070$456 less in Louisiana$76,566$76,110
$150,000$4,114$4,605$491 less in Louisiana$109,677$109,186
$250,000$7,114$7,675$561 less in Louisiana$176,068$175,507

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

Married filing jointly

IncomeLA state taxPA state taxDifferenceLA take-homePA take-home
$75,000$1,478$2,303$825 less in Louisiana$63,145$62,320
$100,000$2,228$3,070$843 less in Louisiana$82,483$81,640
$150,000$3,728$4,605$878 less in Louisiana$119,458$118,580
$250,000$6,728$7,675$947 less in Louisiana$190,741$189,793

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, Louisiana charges the same or less state income tax than Pennsylvania for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.

Rates side by side

Louisiana (single filers)

3%Over $0

Pennsylvania (single filers)

3.07%Over $0

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

Louisiana vs Pennsylvania FAQ

Which has lower income tax, Louisiana or Pennsylvania?+

Louisiana is lower at $75,000: $1,864 of state income tax versus $2,303 in Pennsylvania. At $150,000 it is $4,114 in Louisiana and $4,605 in Pennsylvania. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Louisiana charges the same or less state income tax than Pennsylvania for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.

How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Louisiana versus Pennsylvania?+

A single filer keeping $76,566 a year in Louisiana would keep $76,110 in Pennsylvania after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $456 a year, or $38 a month.

How do the Louisiana and Pennsylvania income tax systems differ?+

Louisiana uses a flat 3% rate; Pennsylvania uses a flat 3.07% rate. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.

Are local taxes included in this Louisiana vs Pennsylvania 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 Louisiana to Pennsylvania 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.