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 Wisconsin Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $399 less state income tax a year in Rhode Island than in Wisconsin, which is about $33 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $1,046 in favor of Rhode Island.
Rhode Island: up to 5.99%Wisconsin: up to 7.65%Updated October 10, 2026
Compare Rhode Island and Wisconsin 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.
2Wisconsin
21.3%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,594
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $16,002
- Net income (annual)
- $58,998
Advanced analysis (optional)
Choose which extra insights you would like to see.
💰 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
Wisconsin
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,333
Monthly take-home$4,917
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 Wisconsin: how the two systems differ
| Rhode Island | Wisconsin | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Progressive, 3 brackets | Progressive, 4 brackets |
| Top rate | 5.99% | 7.65% |
| Lowest rate | 3.75% | 3.5% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $11,200 standard deduction, $5,250 personal exemption | $13,960 standard deduction, $700 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 | WI state tax | Difference | RI take-home | WI take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $508 | $539 | $31 less in Rhode Island | $25,777 | $25,746 |
| $40,000 | $883 | $979 | $96 less in Rhode Island | $33,437 | $33,341 |
| $50,000 | $1,258 | $1,419 | $161 less in Rhode Island | $41,097 | $40,936 |
| $60,000 | $1,633 | $1,859 | $226 less in Rhode Island | $48,757 | $48,531 |
| $75,000 | $2,196 | $2,594 | $399 less in Rhode Island | $59,397 | $58,998 |
| $100,000 | $3,148 | $3,919 | $771 less in Rhode Island | $76,032 | $75,261 |
| $150,000 | $5,523 | $6,569 | $1,046 less in Rhode Island | $108,268 | $107,222 |
| $250,000 | $10,857 | $11,869 | $1,012 less in Rhode Island | $172,325 | $171,313 |
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 | WI state tax | Difference | RI take-home | WI take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $1,579 | $1,920 | $341 less in Rhode Island | $63,044 | $62,702 |
| $100,000 | $2,516 | $3,052 | $535 less in Rhode Island | $82,194 | $81,658 |
| $150,000 | $4,742 | $5,702 | $960 less in Rhode Island | $118,443 | $117,483 |
| $250,000 | $9,872 | $11,002 | $1,130 less in Rhode Island | $187,596 | $186,466 |
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 and Wisconsin charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $15,000 of income. Above that, Rhode Island is the lower-tax state.
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 |
Wisconsin (single filers)
| 3.5% | Up to $15,110 |
| 4.4% | $15,111 to $51,950 |
| 5.3% | $51,951 to $332,720 |
| 7.65% | Over $332,720 |
- 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 Wisconsin income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Rhode Island vs Wisconsin FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Rhode Island or Wisconsin?+
Rhode Island is lower at $75,000: $2,196 of state income tax versus $2,594 in Wisconsin. At $150,000 it is $5,523 in Rhode Island and $6,569 in Wisconsin. For a single filer, Rhode Island and Wisconsin charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $15,000 of income. Above that, Rhode Island is the lower-tax state.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Rhode Island versus Wisconsin?+
A single filer keeping $76,032 a year in Rhode Island would keep $75,261 in Wisconsin after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $771 a year, or $64 a month.
How do the Rhode Island and Wisconsin income tax systems differ?+
Rhode Island uses progressive rates up to 5.99%; Wisconsin uses progressive rates up to 7.65%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this Rhode Island vs Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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
- Rhode Island vs Texas
- California vs Rhode Island
- Florida vs Rhode Island
- New York vs Rhode Island
- Texas vs Wisconsin
- California vs Wisconsin
- Florida vs Wisconsin
- New York vs Wisconsin
- 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.