1Pennsylvania
Lowest20.9%
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
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Massachusetts vs Pennsylvania Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $1,228 less state income tax a year in Pennsylvania than in Massachusetts, which is about $102 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $2,675 in favor of Pennsylvania.
Massachusetts: up to 9%Pennsylvania: 3.07% flatUpdated October 10, 2026
Compare Massachusetts 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.
2Massachusetts
22.6%
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
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💰 Monthly breakdown
Your take-home pay, spread across the year
Pennsylvania
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,309
Monthly take-home$4,941
Massachusetts
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,411
Monthly take-home$4,839
Estimates use 2026 federal and state rates, the standard deduction for your filing status and no local taxes. Rankings use state income tax only.
Massachusetts vs Pennsylvania: how the two systems differ
| Massachusetts | Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Progressive, 2 brackets | Flat 3.07% |
| Top rate | 9% | 3.07% |
| Lowest rate | 5% | 3.07% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $4,400 personal exemption | None 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.
| Income | MA state tax | PA state tax | Difference | MA take-home | PA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $1,280 | $921 | $359 less in Pennsylvania | $25,005 | $25,364 |
| $40,000 | $1,780 | $1,228 | $552 less in Pennsylvania | $32,540 | $33,092 |
| $50,000 | $2,280 | $1,535 | $745 less in Pennsylvania | $40,075 | $40,820 |
| $60,000 | $2,780 | $1,842 | $938 less in Pennsylvania | $47,610 | $48,548 |
| $75,000 | $3,530 | $2,303 | $1,228 less in Pennsylvania | $58,063 | $59,290 |
| $100,000 | $4,780 | $3,070 | $1,710 less in Pennsylvania | $74,400 | $76,110 |
| $150,000 | $7,280 | $4,605 | $2,675 less in Pennsylvania | $106,511 | $109,186 |
| $250,000 | $12,280 | $7,675 | $4,605 less in Pennsylvania | $170,902 | $175,507 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
Married filing jointly
| Income | MA state tax | PA state tax | Difference | MA take-home | PA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $3,310 | $2,303 | $1,008 less in Pennsylvania | $61,313 | $62,320 |
| $100,000 | $4,560 | $3,070 | $1,490 less in Pennsylvania | $80,150 | $81,640 |
| $150,000 | $7,060 | $4,605 | $2,455 less in Pennsylvania | $116,125 | $118,580 |
| $250,000 | $12,060 | $7,675 | $4,385 less in Pennsylvania | $185,408 | $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?
For a single filer, Massachusetts is the lower-tax state up to roughly $12,500 of income, and Pennsylvania becomes the lower-tax state above that.
Rates side by side
Massachusetts (single filers)
| 5% | Up to $1,083,150 |
| 9% | Over $1,083,150 |
Pennsylvania (single filers)
| 3.07% | Over $0 |
- Massachusetts: The 9% rate is the 4% “millionaires tax” surtax on income above the threshold, added to the 5% base rate.
- Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania localities also levy an earned income tax, usually around 1%, which is not included here.
Full details for each state: Massachusetts income tax calculator and Pennsylvania income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Massachusetts vs Pennsylvania FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Massachusetts or Pennsylvania?+
Pennsylvania is lower at $75,000: $2,303 of state income tax versus $3,530 in Massachusetts. At $150,000 it is $7,280 in Massachusetts and $4,605 in Pennsylvania. For a single filer, Massachusetts is the lower-tax state up to roughly $12,500 of income, and Pennsylvania becomes the lower-tax state above that.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Massachusetts versus Pennsylvania?+
A single filer keeping $74,400 a year in Massachusetts would keep $76,110 in Pennsylvania after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $1,710 a year, or $143 a month.
How do the Massachusetts and Pennsylvania income tax systems differ?+
Massachusetts uses progressive rates up to 9%; Pennsylvania uses a flat 3.07% rate.
Are local taxes included in this Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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
- 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.