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Tax year 2026 · state vs state

Pennsylvania vs Tennessee Income Tax Comparison (2026)

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $2,303 less state income tax a year in Tennessee than in Pennsylvania, which is about $192 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $4,605 in favor of Tennessee.

Pennsylvania: 3.07% flatTennessee: no state taxUpdated October 10, 2026

Compare Pennsylvania 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

2Pennsylvania

20.9%

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

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

Pennsylvania

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,309
Monthly take-home$4,941

Estimates use 2026 federal and state rates, the standard deduction for your filing status and no local taxes. Rankings use state income tax only.

Pennsylvania vs Tennessee: how the two systems differ

PennsylvaniaTennessee
Wage income taxFlat 3.07%No tax on wages
Top rate3.07%0%
Lowest rate3.07%0%
Deductions and credits (single)None in this modelNot 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.

IncomePA state taxTN state taxDifferencePA take-homeTN take-home
$30,000$921$0$921 less in Tennessee$25,364$26,285
$40,000$1,228$0$1,228 less in Tennessee$33,092$34,320
$50,000$1,535$0$1,535 less in Tennessee$40,820$42,355
$60,000$1,842$0$1,842 less in Tennessee$48,548$50,390
$75,000$2,303$0$2,303 less in Tennessee$59,290$61,593
$100,000$3,070$0$3,070 less in Tennessee$76,110$79,180
$150,000$4,605$0$4,605 less in Tennessee$109,186$113,791
$250,000$7,675$0$7,675 less in Tennessee$175,507$183,182

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

Married filing jointly

IncomePA state taxTN state taxDifferencePA take-homeTN take-home
$75,000$2,303$0$2,303 less in Tennessee$62,320$64,623
$100,000$3,070$0$3,070 less in Tennessee$81,640$84,710
$150,000$4,605$0$4,605 less in Tennessee$118,580$123,185
$250,000$7,675$0$7,675 less in Tennessee$189,793$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?

Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Tennessee charges the same or less state income tax than Pennsylvania for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.

Rates side by side

Pennsylvania (single filers)

3.07%Over $0

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: Pennsylvania income tax calculator and Tennessee income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.

Pennsylvania vs Tennessee FAQ

Which has lower income tax, Pennsylvania or Tennessee?+

Tennessee is lower at $75,000: $0 of state income tax versus $2,303 in Pennsylvania. At $150,000 it is $4,605 in Pennsylvania and $0 in Tennessee. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Tennessee charges the same or less state income tax than Pennsylvania for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.

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

A single filer keeping $76,110 a year in Pennsylvania would keep $79,180 in Tennessee after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $3,070 a year, or $256 a month.

How do the Pennsylvania and Tennessee income tax systems differ?+

Pennsylvania uses a flat 3.07% rate; Tennessee has no tax on wages.

Are local taxes included in this Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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.