1Utah
Lowest21.1%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,409
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $15,817
- Net income (annual)
- $59,184
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
North Carolina vs Utah Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $75 less state income tax a year in Utah than in North Carolina, which is about $6 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $308 in favor of North Carolina.
North Carolina: 3.99% flatUtah: 4.5% flatUpdated October 10, 2026
Compare North Carolina and Utah 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)
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💰 Monthly breakdown
Your take-home pay, spread across the year
Utah
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,318
Monthly take-home$4,932
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.
North Carolina vs Utah: how the two systems differ
| North Carolina | Utah | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Flat 3.99% | Flat 4.5% |
| Top rate | 3.99% | 4.5% |
| Lowest rate | 3.99% | 4.5% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $12,750 standard deduction | $966 personal credit |
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 | NC state tax | UT state tax | Difference | NC take-home | UT take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $688 | $384 | $304 less in Utah | $25,597 | $25,901 |
| $40,000 | $1,087 | $834 | $253 less in Utah | $33,233 | $33,486 |
| $50,000 | $1,486 | $1,284 | $202 less in Utah | $40,869 | $41,071 |
| $60,000 | $1,885 | $1,734 | $151 less in Utah | $48,505 | $48,656 |
| $75,000 | $2,484 | $2,409 | $75 less in Utah | $59,109 | $59,184 |
| $100,000 | $3,481 | $3,534 | $53 less in North Carolina | $75,699 | $75,646 |
| $150,000 | $5,476 | $5,784 | $308 less in North Carolina | $108,315 | $108,007 |
| $250,000 | $9,466 | $10,284 | $818 less in North Carolina | $173,716 | $172,898 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
Married filing jointly
| Income | NC state tax | UT state tax | Difference | NC take-home | UT take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $1,975 | $1,443 | $532 less in Utah | $62,647 | $63,180 |
| $100,000 | $2,973 | $2,568 | $405 less in Utah | $81,737 | $82,142 |
| $150,000 | $4,968 | $4,818 | $150 less in Utah | $118,217 | $118,367 |
| $250,000 | $8,958 | $9,318 | $360 less in North Carolina | $188,510 | $188,150 |
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, North Carolina and Utah charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $15,000 of income. Above that, Utah is the lower-tax state. The order flips again near $90,000, so the better state depends on where your income falls.
Rates side by side
North Carolina (single filers)
| 3.99% | Over $0 |
Utah (single filers)
| 4.5% | Over $0 |
- Utah: Utah’s credit phases out as income rises, which is not modeled here.
Full details for each state: North Carolina income tax calculator and Utah income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
North Carolina vs Utah FAQ
Which has lower income tax, North Carolina or Utah?+
Utah is lower at $75,000: $2,409 of state income tax versus $2,484 in North Carolina. At $150,000 it is $5,476 in North Carolina and $5,784 in Utah. For a single filer, North Carolina and Utah charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $15,000 of income. Above that, Utah is the lower-tax state. The order flips again near $90,000, so the better state depends on where your income falls.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in North Carolina versus Utah?+
A single filer keeping $75,699 a year in North Carolina would keep $75,646 in Utah after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $53 a year, or $4 a month.
How do the North Carolina and Utah income tax systems differ?+
North Carolina uses a flat 3.99% rate; Utah uses a flat 4.5% rate. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this North Carolina vs Utah 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 North Carolina to Utah 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.