1Massachusetts
Lowest22.6%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $3,530
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $16,938
- Net income (annual)
- $58,063
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Maine vs Massachusetts Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $351 less state income tax a year in Massachusetts than in Maine, which is about $29 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $1,949 in favor of Massachusetts.
Maine: up to 7.15%Massachusetts: up to 9%Updated October 10, 2026
Compare Maine and Massachusetts 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.
2Maine
23.1%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $3,881
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $17,288
- Net income (annual)
- $57,712
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💰 Monthly breakdown
Your take-home pay, spread across the year
Massachusetts
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,411
Monthly take-home$4,839
Maine
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,441
Monthly take-home$4,809
Estimates use 2026 federal and state rates, the standard deduction for your filing status and no local taxes. Rankings use state income tax only.
Maine vs Massachusetts: how the two systems differ
| Maine | Massachusetts | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Progressive, 3 brackets | Progressive, 2 brackets |
| Top rate | 7.15% | 9% |
| Lowest rate | 5.8% | 5% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $8,350 standard deduction, $5,300 personal exemption | $4,400 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 | ME state tax | MA state tax | Difference | ME take-home | MA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $948 | $1,280 | $332 less in Maine | $25,337 | $25,005 |
| $40,000 | $1,528 | $1,780 | $252 less in Maine | $32,792 | $32,540 |
| $50,000 | $2,193 | $2,280 | $87 less in Maine | $40,162 | $40,075 |
| $60,000 | $2,868 | $2,780 | $88 less in Massachusetts | $47,522 | $47,610 |
| $75,000 | $3,881 | $3,530 | $351 less in Massachusetts | $57,712 | $58,063 |
| $100,000 | $5,654 | $4,780 | $874 less in Massachusetts | $73,526 | $74,400 |
| $150,000 | $9,229 | $7,280 | $1,949 less in Massachusetts | $104,562 | $106,511 |
| $250,000 | $16,379 | $12,280 | $4,099 less in Massachusetts | $166,803 | $170,902 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
Married filing jointly
| Income | ME state tax | MA state tax | Difference | ME take-home | MA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $2,767 | $3,310 | $543 less in Maine | $61,856 | $61,313 |
| $100,000 | $4,386 | $4,560 | $174 less in Maine | $80,324 | $80,150 |
| $150,000 | $7,761 | $7,060 | $701 less in Massachusetts | $115,424 | $116,125 |
| $250,000 | $14,883 | $12,060 | $2,823 less in Massachusetts | $182,585 | $185,408 |
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, Maine is the lower-tax state up to roughly $57,500 of income, and Massachusetts becomes the lower-tax state above that.
Rates side by side
Maine (single filers)
| 5.8% | Up to $27,399 |
| 6.75% | $27,400 to $64,849 |
| 7.15% | Over $64,849 |
Massachusetts (single filers)
| 5% | Up to $1,083,150 |
| 9% | Over $1,083,150 |
- Massachusetts: The 9% rate is the 4% “millionaires tax” surtax on income above the threshold, added to the 5% base rate.
Full details for each state: Maine income tax calculator and Massachusetts income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Maine vs Massachusetts FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Maine or Massachusetts?+
Massachusetts is lower at $75,000: $3,530 of state income tax versus $3,881 in Maine. At $150,000 it is $9,229 in Maine and $7,280 in Massachusetts. For a single filer, Maine is the lower-tax state up to roughly $57,500 of income, and Massachusetts becomes the lower-tax state above that.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Maine versus Massachusetts?+
A single filer keeping $73,526 a year in Maine would keep $74,400 in Massachusetts after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $874 a year, or $73 a month.
How do the Maine and Massachusetts income tax systems differ?+
Maine uses progressive rates up to 7.15%; Massachusetts uses progressive rates up to 9%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this Maine vs Massachusetts 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 Maine to Massachusetts 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.