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
Rhode Island vs West Virginia Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $484 less state income tax a year in Rhode Island than in West Virginia, which is about $40 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $772 in favor of Rhode Island.
Rhode Island: up to 5.99%West Virginia: up to 4.82%Updated October 10, 2026
Compare Rhode Island and West Virginia 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.
2West Virginia
21.5%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,680
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $16,088
- Net income (annual)
- $58,912
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💰 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
West Virginia
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,341
Monthly take-home$4,909
Estimates use 2026 federal and state rates, the standard deduction for your filing status and no local taxes. Rankings use state income tax only.
Rhode Island vs West Virginia: how the two systems differ
| Rhode Island | West Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Progressive, 3 brackets | Progressive, 5 brackets |
| Top rate | 5.99% | 4.82% |
| Lowest rate | 3.75% | 2.22% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $11,200 standard deduction, $5,250 personal exemption | $2,000 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 | RI state tax | WV state tax | Difference | RI take-home | WV take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $508 | $766 | $258 less in Rhode Island | $25,777 | $25,519 |
| $40,000 | $883 | $1,099 | $216 less in Rhode Island | $33,437 | $33,221 |
| $50,000 | $1,258 | $1,521 | $263 less in Rhode Island | $41,097 | $40,834 |
| $60,000 | $1,633 | $1,965 | $332 less in Rhode Island | $48,757 | $48,425 |
| $75,000 | $2,196 | $2,680 | $484 less in Rhode Island | $59,397 | $58,912 |
| $100,000 | $3,148 | $3,885 | $737 less in Rhode Island | $76,032 | $75,295 |
| $150,000 | $5,523 | $6,295 | $772 less in Rhode Island | $108,268 | $107,496 |
| $250,000 | $10,857 | $11,115 | $258 less in Rhode Island | $172,325 | $172,067 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
Married filing jointly
| Income | RI state tax | WV state tax | Difference | RI take-home | WV take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $1,579 | $2,584 | $1,005 less in Rhode Island | $63,044 | $62,039 |
| $100,000 | $2,516 | $3,789 | $1,272 less in Rhode Island | $82,194 | $80,921 |
| $150,000 | $4,742 | $6,199 | $1,457 less in Rhode Island | $118,443 | $116,986 |
| $250,000 | $9,872 | $11,019 | $1,147 less in Rhode Island | $187,596 | $186,449 |
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 $272,500 of income, and West Virginia becomes the lower-tax state above that.
Rates side by side
Rhode Island (single filers)
| 3.75% | Up to $82,050 |
| 4.75% | $82,051 to $186,450 |
| 5.99% | Over $186,450 |
West Virginia (single filers)
| 2.22% | Up to $10,000 |
| 2.96% | $10,001 to $25,000 |
| 3.33% | $25,001 to $40,000 |
| 4.44% | $40,001 to $60,000 |
| 4.82% | Over $60,000 |
- Rhode Island: Rhode Island also charges a temporary disability insurance payroll tax that is not included here.
Full details for each state: Rhode Island income tax calculator and West Virginia income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Rhode Island vs West Virginia FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Rhode Island or West Virginia?+
Rhode Island is lower at $75,000: $2,196 of state income tax versus $2,680 in West Virginia. At $150,000 it is $5,523 in Rhode Island and $6,295 in West Virginia. For a single filer, Rhode Island is the lower-tax state up to roughly $272,500 of income, and West Virginia becomes the lower-tax state above that.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Rhode Island versus West Virginia?+
A single filer keeping $76,032 a year in Rhode Island would keep $75,295 in West Virginia after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $737 a year, or $61 a month.
How do the Rhode Island and West Virginia income tax systems differ?+
Rhode Island uses progressive rates up to 5.99%; West Virginia uses progressive rates up to 4.82%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this Rhode Island vs West Virginia 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 Rhode Island to West Virginia 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.