Iowa vs Wisconsin Taxes: Take-Home Pay Compared (2026)
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $394 more a year in Iowa than in Wisconsin ($33 a month).
Iowa
3.8% flat state income tax
$59,354
take-home on $75,000 · $4,946/month
15th of 51 states for take-home pay
Iowa paycheck calculator ›Wisconsin
3.5% - 7.65% state income tax
$58,960
take-home on $75,000 · $4,913/month
22nd of 51 states for take-home pay
Wisconsin paycheck calculator ›Take-home pay in Iowa and Wisconsin by salary
| Salary | Iowa | Wisconsin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $33,412 | $33,310 | $102 more in Iowa |
| $50,000 | $41,067 | $40,905 | $162 more in Iowa |
| $60,000 | $48,722 | $48,500 | $222 more in Iowa |
| $75,000 | $59,354 | $58,960 | $394 more in Iowa |
| $100,000 | $75,992 | $75,223 | $769 more in Iowa |
| $125,000 | $92,566 | $91,422 | $1,144 more in Iowa |
| $150,000 | $108,703 | $107,184 | $1,519 more in Iowa |
| $200,000 | $141,939 | $139,670 | $2,269 more in Iowa |
Single filer, standard deduction, no local tax. To match $75,000 in Iowa you would need about $75,600 in Wisconsin; to match $75,000 in Wisconsin you would need about $74,400 in Iowa.
How Iowa and Wisconsin tax wages
| 2026 | Iowa | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax | a flat 3.8% income tax | 4 brackets from 3.5% to 7.65% |
| Top rate | 3.8% | 7.65% |
| Standard deduction | $16,100 single | $13,960 single |
| State tax on $75k | $2,238 (3.0%) | $2,632 (3.5%) |
| Local wage taxes | Yes (3 modeled) | No |
| Reciprocity | Illinois | Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan |
Iowa vs Wisconsin: FAQ
Does Iowa or Wisconsin have lower income taxes in 2026?
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $394 more a year in Iowa than in Wisconsin ($33 a month). Iowa has a flat 3.8% income tax for 2026. Wisconsin has 4 brackets from 3.5% to 7.65% for 2026. For single filers the top 7.65% rate starts at $332,720 of taxable income.
What salary in Wisconsin equals $75,000 in Iowa?
To take home the same $59,354 that $75,000 leaves in Iowa, you would need about $75,600 in Wisconsin, based on income, payroll, and state taxes only. Housing and other living costs are not included.
How much more do high earners keep in Iowa than in Wisconsin?
At $150,000 the gap is $1,519 a year: $108,703 in Iowa versus $107,184 in Wisconsin. Progressive brackets make the difference grow faster as income rises.
What if I live in Iowa and work in Wisconsin?
Iowa and Wisconsin do not have a reciprocity agreement, so Wisconsin withholds tax on wages earned there and Iowa generally gives residents a credit for tax paid to the other state. You effectively pay the higher of the two rates.
Do local taxes change the Iowa vs Wisconsin comparison?
Iowa has local wage taxes in places like Des Moines (School district surtax), Cedar Rapids (School district surtax), Davenport (School district surtax). Those are on top of the statewide figures above, so check the city calculators if you live or work in one of them.