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Tax year 2026 · state vs state

Maine vs West Virginia Income Tax Comparison (2026)

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $1,201 less state income tax a year in West Virginia than in Maine, which is about $100 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $2,934 in favor of West Virginia.

Maine: up to 7.15%West Virginia: up to 4.82%Updated October 10, 2026

Compare Maine and West Virginia 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.

1West Virginia

Lowest

21.5%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$2,680
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$16,088
Net income (annual)
$58,912

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

West Virginia

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,341
Monthly take-home$4,909

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 West Virginia: how the two systems differ

MaineWest Virginia
Wage income taxProgressive, 3 bracketsProgressive, 5 brackets
Top rate7.15%4.82%
Lowest rate5.8%2.22%
Deductions and credits (single)$8,350 standard deduction, $5,300 personal exemption$2,000 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.

IncomeME state taxWV state taxDifferenceME take-homeWV take-home
$30,000$948$766$182 less in West Virginia$25,337$25,519
$40,000$1,528$1,099$429 less in West Virginia$32,792$33,221
$50,000$2,193$1,521$673 less in West Virginia$40,162$40,834
$60,000$2,868$1,965$904 less in West Virginia$47,522$48,425
$75,000$3,881$2,680$1,201 less in West Virginia$57,712$58,912
$100,000$5,654$3,885$1,769 less in West Virginia$73,526$75,295
$150,000$9,229$6,295$2,934 less in West Virginia$104,562$107,496
$250,000$16,379$11,115$5,264 less in West Virginia$166,803$172,067

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

Married filing jointly

IncomeME state taxWV state taxDifferenceME take-homeWV take-home
$75,000$2,767$2,584$183 less in West Virginia$61,856$62,039
$100,000$4,386$3,789$597 less in West Virginia$80,324$80,921
$150,000$7,761$6,199$1,562 less in West Virginia$115,424$116,986
$250,000$14,883$11,019$3,864 less in West Virginia$182,585$186,449

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 $25,000 of income, and West Virginia 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

West Virginia (single filers)

2.22%Up to $10,000
2.96%$10,001 to $25,000
3.33%$25,001 to $40,000
4.44%$40,001 to $60,000
4.82%Over $60,000

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

Maine vs West Virginia FAQ

Which has lower income tax, Maine or West Virginia?+

West Virginia is lower at $75,000: $2,680 of state income tax versus $3,881 in Maine. At $150,000 it is $9,229 in Maine and $6,295 in West Virginia. For a single filer, Maine is the lower-tax state up to roughly $25,000 of income, and West Virginia becomes the lower-tax state above that.

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

A single filer keeping $73,526 a year in Maine would keep $75,295 in West Virginia after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $1,769 a year, or $147 a month.

How do the Maine and West Virginia income tax systems differ?+

Maine uses progressive rates up to 7.15%; West Virginia uses progressive rates up to 4.82%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.

Are local taxes included in this Maine vs West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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.