Florida vs Kentucky Taxes: Take-Home Pay Compared (2026)
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $2,507 more a year in Florida than in Kentucky ($209 a month).
Florida
No state income tax on wages
$61,592
take-home on $75,000 · $5,133/month
1st of 51 states for take-home pay
Florida paycheck calculator ›Kentucky
3.5% flat state income tax
$59,085
take-home on $75,000 · $4,924/month
23rd of 51 states for take-home pay
Kentucky paycheck calculator ›Take-home pay in Florida and Kentucky by salary
| Salary | Florida | Kentucky | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $34,320 | $33,038 | $1,282 more in Florida |
| $50,000 | $42,355 | $40,723 | $1,632 more in Florida |
| $60,000 | $50,390 | $48,408 | $1,982 more in Florida |
| $75,000 | $61,592 | $59,085 | $2,507 more in Florida |
| $100,000 | $79,180 | $75,798 | $3,382 more in Florida |
| $125,000 | $96,703 | $92,446 | $4,257 more in Florida |
| $150,000 | $113,791 | $108,659 | $5,132 more in Florida |
| $200,000 | $148,927 | $142,045 | $6,882 more in Florida |
Single filer, standard deduction, no local tax. To match $75,000 in Florida you would need about $78,750 in Kentucky; to match $75,000 in Kentucky you would need about $71,450 in Florida.
How Florida and Kentucky tax wages
| 2026 | Florida | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax | no state income tax | a flat 3.5% income tax |
| Top rate | 0% | 3.5% |
| Standard deduction | Not applicable | $3,360 single |
| State tax on $75k | $0 (0.0%) | $2,507 (3.3%) |
| Local wage taxes | No | Yes (15 modeled) |
| Reciprocity | None | Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin |
| 2026 change | No rate change | Kentucky cut its flat rate from 4.0% to 3.5% on January 1, 2026 after meeting its revenue triggers. |
Moving between Florida and Kentucky
Moving from Florida to Kentucky
Moving to Kentucky from Illinois or Virginia lowers your state tax at most salaries, and the 2026 cut to 3.5% makes the state rate more competitive with Indiana. Budget for local tax as well: Kentucky's occupational license taxes run from 1.65% in Henderson to 2.75% in Lexington among our city pages. Whether you live inside Louisville Metro changes your rate, so compare addresses before you sign.
Moving from Kentucky to Florida
Moving to Florida removes state income tax entirely. A $75,000 earner coming from Georgia gains $2,994 a year, and the savings grow with income. Plan for higher homeowners' insurance and property tax in many coastal counties, and cut ties with your former state promptly: change your license, voter registration, and mailing address, and file a part-year return there for the year you move.
Florida paychecks in brief
Florida has no personal income tax, so the only taxes on a Florida paycheck in 2026 are federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare. A single filer earning $75,000 takes home $61,592 a year, or $2,369 every two weeks, which ties Florida for first among the states and DC. That is $2,994 more than the same worker keeps in Georgia and $3,127 more than in Alabama. Read the Florida guide.
Kentucky paychecks in brief
Kentucky cut its flat income tax from 4.0% to 3.5% on January 1, 2026, applied after a $3,360 standard deduction. A single filer earning $75,000 pays $2,507 to the state and takes home $59,085, or $2,273 every two weeks. The cost that surprises newcomers is local: Kentucky cities and counties levy occupational license taxes on wages earned inside their borders, which add $1,650 in Louisville and $2,063 in Lexington at the same salary. Read the Kentucky guide.
Florida vs Kentucky: FAQ
Does Florida or Kentucky have lower income taxes in 2026?
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $2,507 more a year in Florida than in Kentucky ($209 a month). Florida has no state income tax. Kentucky has a flat 3.5% income tax for 2026.
What salary in Kentucky equals $75,000 in Florida?
To take home the same $61,592 that $75,000 leaves in Florida, you would need about $78,750 in Kentucky, based on income, payroll, and state taxes only. Housing and other living costs are not included.
How much more do high earners keep in Florida than in Kentucky?
At $150,000 the gap is $5,132 a year: $113,791 in Florida versus $108,659 in Kentucky. With flat or no state tax, the gap grows roughly in line with salary.
Do local taxes change the Florida vs Kentucky comparison?
Kentucky has local wage taxes in places like Louisville (2.2% / 1.45%), Lexington (2.75% / 2.25%), Bowling Green (2%). Those are on top of the statewide figures above, so check the city calculators if you live or work in one of them.