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Tax year 2026 · state vs state

Maine vs Tennessee Income Tax Comparison (2026)

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $3,881 less state income tax a year in Tennessee than in Maine, which is about $323 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $9,229 in favor of Tennessee.

Maine: up to 7.15%Tennessee: no state taxUpdated October 10, 2026

Compare Maine 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.

1Tennessee

Lowest

17.9%

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

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

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

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 Tennessee: how the two systems differ

MaineTennessee
Wage income taxProgressive, 3 bracketsNo tax on wages
Top rate7.15%0%
Lowest rate5.8%0%
Deductions and credits (single)$8,350 standard deduction, $5,300 personal exemptionNot 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.

IncomeME state taxTN state taxDifferenceME take-homeTN take-home
$30,000$948$0$948 less in Tennessee$25,337$26,285
$40,000$1,528$0$1,528 less in Tennessee$32,792$34,320
$50,000$2,193$0$2,193 less in Tennessee$40,162$42,355
$60,000$2,868$0$2,868 less in Tennessee$47,522$50,390
$75,000$3,881$0$3,881 less in Tennessee$57,712$61,593
$100,000$5,654$0$5,654 less in Tennessee$73,526$79,180
$150,000$9,229$0$9,229 less in Tennessee$104,562$113,791
$250,000$16,379$0$16,379 less in Tennessee$166,803$183,182

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

Married filing jointly

IncomeME state taxTN state taxDifferenceME take-homeTN take-home
$75,000$2,767$0$2,767 less in Tennessee$61,856$64,623
$100,000$4,386$0$4,386 less in Tennessee$80,324$84,710
$150,000$7,761$0$7,761 less in Tennessee$115,424$123,185
$250,000$14,883$0$14,883 less in Tennessee$182,585$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?

For a single filer, Maine and Tennessee charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $15,000 of income. Above that, Tennessee is the lower-tax state.

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

Tennessee (single filers)

Tennessee has no state personal income tax. The old “Hall tax” on interest and dividends was repealed after 2020.

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

Maine vs Tennessee FAQ

Which has lower income tax, Maine or Tennessee?+

Tennessee is lower at $75,000: $0 of state income tax versus $3,881 in Maine. At $150,000 it is $9,229 in Maine and $0 in Tennessee. For a single filer, Maine and Tennessee charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $15,000 of income. Above that, Tennessee is the lower-tax state.

How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Maine versus Tennessee?+

A single filer keeping $73,526 a year in Maine would keep $79,180 in Tennessee after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $5,654 a year, or $471 a month.

How do the Maine and Tennessee income tax systems differ?+

Maine uses progressive rates up to 7.15%; 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 Maine 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 Maine 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

Last checked October 10, 2026. Confirm with your state tax agency before filing.

More state comparisons

Estimates for education only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Not a substitute for a tax professional or your state revenue department.