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Tax year 2026 · state vs state

North Dakota vs Tennessee Income Tax Comparison (2026)

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $203 less state income tax a year in Tennessee than in North Dakota, which is about $17 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $1,666 in favor of Tennessee.

North Dakota: up to 2.5%Tennessee: no state taxUpdated October 10, 2026

Compare North Dakota and Tennessee 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.

1Tennessee

Lowest

17.9%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$0
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$13,408
Net income (annual)
$61,593

2North Dakota

18.1%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$203
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$13,611
Net income (annual)
$61,389

Advanced analysis (optional)

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💰 Monthly breakdown

Your take-home pay, spread across the year

Tennessee

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,117
Monthly take-home$5,133

North Dakota

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,134
Monthly take-home$5,116

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 Dakota vs Tennessee: how the two systems differ

North DakotaTennessee
Wage income taxProgressive, 2 bracketsNo tax on wages
Top rate2.5%0%
Lowest rate1.95%0%
Deductions and credits (single)$16,100 standard deductionNot applicable

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.

IncomeND state taxTN state taxDifferenceND take-homeTN take-home
$30,000$0$0Same$26,285$26,285
$40,000$0$0Same$34,320$34,320
$50,000$0$0Same$42,355$42,355
$60,000$0$0Same$50,390$50,390
$75,000$203$0$203 less in Tennessee$61,389$61,593
$100,000$691$0$691 less in Tennessee$78,489$79,180
$150,000$1,666$0$1,666 less in Tennessee$112,125$113,791
$250,000$3,616$0$3,616 less in Tennessee$179,566$183,182

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

Married filing jointly

IncomeND state taxTN state taxDifferenceND take-homeTN take-home
$75,000$0$0Same$64,623$64,623
$100,000$0$0Same$84,710$84,710
$150,000$718$0$718 less in Tennessee$122,467$123,185
$250,000$2,668$0$2,668 less in Tennessee$194,800$197,468

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 Dakota and Tennessee charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $65,000 of income. Above that, Tennessee is the lower-tax state.

Rates side by side

North Dakota (single filers)

1.95%$48,476 to $244,825
2.5%Over $244,825

Tennessee (single filers)

Tennessee has no state personal income tax. The old “Hall tax” on interest and dividends was repealed after 2020.

Full details for each state: North Dakota income tax calculator and Tennessee income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.

North Dakota vs Tennessee FAQ

Which has lower income tax, North Dakota or Tennessee?+

Tennessee is lower at $75,000: $0 of state income tax versus $203 in North Dakota. At $150,000 it is $1,666 in North Dakota and $0 in Tennessee. For a single filer, North Dakota and Tennessee charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $65,000 of income. Above that, Tennessee is the lower-tax state.

How much more do I keep on $100,000 in North Dakota versus Tennessee?+

A single filer keeping $78,489 a year in North Dakota would keep $79,180 in Tennessee after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $691 a year, or $58 a month.

How do the North Dakota and Tennessee income tax systems differ?+

North Dakota uses progressive rates up to 2.5%; Tennessee has no tax on wages. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.

Are local taxes included in this North Dakota vs Tennessee 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 Dakota to Tennessee 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.

More state comparisons

Estimates for education only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Not a substitute for a tax professional or your state revenue department.