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Tax year 2026 · state vs state

Tennessee vs West Virginia Income Tax Comparison (2026)

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $2,680 less state income tax a year in Tennessee than in West Virginia, which is about $223 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $6,295 in favor of Tennessee.

Tennessee: no state taxWest Virginia: up to 4.82%Updated October 10, 2026

Compare Tennessee 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.

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

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

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

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.

Tennessee vs West Virginia: how the two systems differ

TennesseeWest Virginia
Wage income taxNo tax on wagesProgressive, 5 brackets
Top rate0%4.82%
Lowest rate0%2.22%
Deductions and credits (single)Not applicable$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.

IncomeTN state taxWV state taxDifferenceTN take-homeWV take-home
$30,000$0$766$766 less in Tennessee$26,285$25,519
$40,000$0$1,099$1,099 less in Tennessee$34,320$33,221
$50,000$0$1,521$1,521 less in Tennessee$42,355$40,834
$60,000$0$1,965$1,965 less in Tennessee$50,390$48,425
$75,000$0$2,680$2,680 less in Tennessee$61,593$58,912
$100,000$0$3,885$3,885 less in Tennessee$79,180$75,295
$150,000$0$6,295$6,295 less in Tennessee$113,791$107,496
$250,000$0$11,115$11,115 less in Tennessee$183,182$172,067

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

Married filing jointly

IncomeTN state taxWV state taxDifferenceTN take-homeWV take-home
$75,000$0$2,584$2,584 less in Tennessee$64,623$62,039
$100,000$0$3,789$3,789 less in Tennessee$84,710$80,921
$150,000$0$6,199$6,199 less in Tennessee$123,185$116,986
$250,000$0$11,019$11,019 less in Tennessee$197,468$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?

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

Rates side by side

Tennessee (single filers)

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 The old “Hall tax” on interest and dividends was repealed after 2020.

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

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

Tennessee vs West Virginia FAQ

Which has lower income tax, Tennessee or West Virginia?+

Tennessee is lower at $75,000: $0 of state income tax versus $2,680 in West Virginia. At $150,000 it is $0 in Tennessee and $6,295 in West Virginia. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Tennessee charges the same or less state income tax than West Virginia for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.

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

A single filer keeping $79,180 a year in Tennessee would keep $75,295 in West Virginia after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $3,885 a year, or $324 a month.

How do the Tennessee and West Virginia income tax systems differ?+

Tennessee has no tax on wages; West Virginia uses progressive rates up to 4.82%.

Are local taxes included in this Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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

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.