Arkansas vs North Carolina Taxes: Take-Home Pay Compared (2026)
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $252 more a year in Arkansas than in North Carolina ($21 a month).
Arkansas
2% - 3.9% state income tax
$58,851
take-home on $75,000 · $4,904/month
25th of 51 states for take-home pay
Arkansas paycheck calculator ›North Carolina
3.99% flat state income tax
$58,600
take-home on $75,000 · $4,883/month
34th of 51 states for take-home pay
North Carolina paycheck calculator ›Take-home pay in Arkansas and North Carolina by salary
| Salary | Arkansas | North Carolina | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $32,944 | $32,724 | $220 more in Arkansas |
| $50,000 | $40,589 | $40,360 | $229 more in Arkansas |
| $60,000 | $48,234 | $47,996 | $238 more in Arkansas |
| $75,000 | $58,851 | $58,600 | $252 more in Arkansas |
| $100,000 | $75,464 | $75,190 | $274 more in Arkansas |
| $125,000 | $92,013 | $91,716 | $297 more in Arkansas |
| $150,000 | $108,125 | $107,806 | $319 more in Arkansas |
| $200,000 | $141,311 | $140,947 | $364 more in Arkansas |
Single filer, standard deduction, no local tax. To match $75,000 in Arkansas you would need about $75,400 in North Carolina; to match $75,000 in North Carolina you would need about $74,600 in Arkansas.
How Arkansas and North Carolina tax wages
| 2026 | Arkansas | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax | 2 brackets from 2% to 3.9% | a flat 3.99% income tax |
| Top rate | 3.9% | 3.99% |
| Standard deduction | $2,470 single | $12,750 single |
| State tax on $75k | $2,741 (3.7%) | $2,993 (4.0%) |
| Local wage taxes | No | No |
| Reciprocity | None | None |
| 2026 change | No rate change | North Carolina finished its phasedown, cutting the flat rate from 4.25% to 3.99% for 2026. |
Arkansas vs North Carolina: FAQ
Does Arkansas or North Carolina have lower income taxes in 2026?
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $252 more a year in Arkansas than in North Carolina ($21 a month). Arkansas has 2 brackets from 2% to 3.9% for 2026. For single filers the top 3.9% rate starts at $4,600 of taxable income. North Carolina has a flat 3.99% income tax for 2026.
What salary in North Carolina equals $75,000 in Arkansas?
To take home the same $58,851 that $75,000 leaves in Arkansas, you would need about $75,400 in North Carolina, based on income, payroll, and state taxes only. Housing and other living costs are not included.
How much more do high earners keep in Arkansas than in North Carolina?
At $150,000 the gap is $319 a year: $108,125 in Arkansas versus $107,806 in North Carolina. Progressive brackets make the difference grow faster as income rises.
What if I live in Arkansas and work in North Carolina?
Arkansas and North Carolina do not have a reciprocity agreement, so North Carolina withholds tax on wages earned there and Arkansas generally gives residents a credit for tax paid to the other state. You effectively pay the higher of the two rates.