1Rhode Island
Lowest20.8%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,196
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $15,603
- Net income (annual)
- $59,397
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Massachusetts vs Rhode Island Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $1,334 less state income tax a year in Rhode Island than in Massachusetts, which is about $111 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $1,757 in favor of Rhode Island.
Massachusetts: up to 9%Rhode Island: up to 5.99%Updated October 10, 2026
Compare Massachusetts and Rhode Island 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
Advanced analysis (optional)
Choose which extra insights you would like to see.
💰 Monthly breakdown
Your take-home pay, spread across the year
Rhode Island
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,300
Monthly take-home$4,950
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 Rhode Island: how the two systems differ
| Massachusetts | Rhode Island | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Progressive, 2 brackets | Progressive, 3 brackets |
| Top rate | 9% | 5.99% |
| Lowest rate | 5% | 3.75% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $4,400 personal exemption | $11,200 standard deduction, $5,250 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 | MA state tax | RI state tax | Difference | MA take-home | RI take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $1,280 | $508 | $772 less in Rhode Island | $25,005 | $25,777 |
| $40,000 | $1,780 | $883 | $897 less in Rhode Island | $32,540 | $33,437 |
| $50,000 | $2,280 | $1,258 | $1,022 less in Rhode Island | $40,075 | $41,097 |
| $60,000 | $2,780 | $1,633 | $1,147 less in Rhode Island | $47,610 | $48,757 |
| $75,000 | $3,530 | $2,196 | $1,334 less in Rhode Island | $58,063 | $59,397 |
| $100,000 | $4,780 | $3,148 | $1,632 less in Rhode Island | $74,400 | $76,032 |
| $150,000 | $7,280 | $5,523 | $1,757 less in Rhode Island | $106,511 | $108,268 |
| $250,000 | $12,280 | $10,857 | $1,423 less in Rhode Island | $170,902 | $172,325 |
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 | RI state tax | Difference | MA take-home | RI take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $3,310 | $1,579 | $1,731 less in Rhode Island | $61,313 | $63,044 |
| $100,000 | $4,560 | $2,516 | $2,044 less in Rhode Island | $80,150 | $82,194 |
| $150,000 | $7,060 | $4,742 | $2,318 less in Rhode Island | $116,125 | $118,443 |
| $250,000 | $12,060 | $9,872 | $2,188 less in Rhode Island | $185,408 | $187,596 |
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, Rhode Island is the lower-tax state up to roughly $395,000 of income, and Massachusetts 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 |
Rhode Island (single filers)
| 3.75% | Up to $82,050 |
| 4.75% | $82,051 to $186,450 |
| 5.99% | Over $186,450 |
- Massachusetts: The 9% rate is the 4% “millionaires tax” surtax on income above the threshold, added to the 5% base rate.
- Rhode Island: Rhode Island also charges a temporary disability insurance payroll tax that is not included here.
Full details for each state: Massachusetts income tax calculator and Rhode Island income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Massachusetts vs Rhode Island FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Massachusetts or Rhode Island?+
Rhode Island is lower at $75,000: $2,196 of state income tax versus $3,530 in Massachusetts. At $150,000 it is $7,280 in Massachusetts and $5,523 in Rhode Island. For a single filer, Rhode Island is the lower-tax state up to roughly $395,000 of income, and Massachusetts becomes the lower-tax state above that.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Massachusetts versus Rhode Island?+
A single filer keeping $74,400 a year in Massachusetts would keep $76,032 in Rhode Island after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $1,632 a year, or $136 a month.
How do the Massachusetts and Rhode Island income tax systems differ?+
Massachusetts uses progressive rates up to 9%; Rhode Island uses progressive rates up to 5.99%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this Massachusetts vs Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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.
More state comparisons
- Massachusetts vs Texas
- California vs Massachusetts
- Florida vs Massachusetts
- Massachusetts vs New York
- Rhode Island vs Texas
- California vs Rhode Island
- Florida vs Rhode Island
- New York vs Rhode Island
- All state comparisons →
Estimates for education only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Not a substitute for a tax professional or your state revenue department.