1Mississippi
Lowest20.9%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,268
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $15,676
- Net income (annual)
- $59,325
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Mississippi vs North Carolina Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $216 less state income tax a year in Mississippi than in North Carolina, which is about $18 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $208 in favor of Mississippi.
Mississippi: 4% flatNorth Carolina: 3.99% flatUpdated October 10, 2026
Compare Mississippi and North Carolina 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.
2North Carolina
21.2%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,484
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $15,891
- Net income (annual)
- $59,109
Advanced analysis (optional)
Choose which extra insights you would like to see.
💰 Monthly breakdown
Your take-home pay, spread across the year
Mississippi
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,306
Monthly take-home$4,944
North Carolina
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,324
Monthly take-home$4,926
Estimates use 2026 federal and state rates, the standard deduction for your filing status and no local taxes. Rankings use state income tax only.
Mississippi vs North Carolina: how the two systems differ
| Mississippi | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Flat 4% | Flat 3.99% |
| Top rate | 4% | 3.99% |
| Lowest rate | 4% | 3.99% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $2,300 standard deduction, $6,000 personal exemption | $12,750 standard deduction |
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 | MS state tax | NC state tax | Difference | MS take-home | NC take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $468 | $688 | $220 less in Mississippi | $25,817 | $25,597 |
| $40,000 | $868 | $1,087 | $219 less in Mississippi | $33,452 | $33,233 |
| $50,000 | $1,268 | $1,486 | $218 less in Mississippi | $41,087 | $40,869 |
| $60,000 | $1,668 | $1,885 | $217 less in Mississippi | $48,722 | $48,505 |
| $75,000 | $2,268 | $2,484 | $216 less in Mississippi | $59,325 | $59,109 |
| $100,000 | $3,268 | $3,481 | $213 less in Mississippi | $75,912 | $75,699 |
| $150,000 | $5,268 | $5,476 | $208 less in Mississippi | $108,523 | $108,315 |
| $250,000 | $9,268 | $9,466 | $198 less in Mississippi | $173,914 | $173,716 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
Married filing jointly
| Income | MS state tax | NC state tax | Difference | MS take-home | NC take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $1,936 | $1,975 | $39 less in Mississippi | $62,687 | $62,647 |
| $100,000 | $2,936 | $2,973 | $37 less in Mississippi | $81,774 | $81,737 |
| $150,000 | $4,936 | $4,968 | $32 less in Mississippi | $118,249 | $118,217 |
| $250,000 | $8,936 | $8,958 | $22 less in Mississippi | $188,532 | $188,510 |
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, Mississippi and North Carolina charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $15,000 of income. Above that, Mississippi is the lower-tax state.
Rates side by side
Mississippi (single filers)
| 4% | Over $10,000 |
North Carolina (single filers)
| 3.99% | Over $0 |
Full details for each state: Mississippi income tax calculator and North Carolina income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Mississippi vs North Carolina FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Mississippi or North Carolina?+
Mississippi is lower at $75,000: $2,268 of state income tax versus $2,484 in North Carolina. At $150,000 it is $5,268 in Mississippi and $5,476 in North Carolina. For a single filer, Mississippi and North Carolina charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $15,000 of income. Above that, Mississippi is the lower-tax state.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Mississippi versus North Carolina?+
A single filer keeping $75,912 a year in Mississippi would keep $75,699 in North Carolina after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $213 a year, or $18 a month.
How do the Mississippi and North Carolina income tax systems differ?+
Mississippi uses a flat 4% rate; North Carolina uses a flat 3.99% rate. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this Mississippi vs North Carolina 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 Mississippi to North Carolina 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
- Mississippi vs Texas
- California vs Mississippi
- Florida vs Mississippi
- Mississippi vs New York
- North Carolina vs Texas
- California vs North Carolina
- Florida vs North Carolina
- New York vs North Carolina
- 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.