Kentucky vs New York Taxes: Take-Home Pay Compared (2026)
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $946 more a year in Kentucky than in New York ($79 a month).
Kentucky
3.5% flat state income tax
$59,085
take-home on $75,000 · $4,924/month
19th of 51 states for take-home pay
Kentucky paycheck calculator ›New York
3.9% - 10.9% state income tax
$58,139
take-home on $75,000 · $4,845/month
42nd of 51 states for take-home pay
New York paycheck calculator ›Take-home pay in Kentucky and New York by salary
| Salary | Kentucky | New York | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $33,038 | $32,757 | $281 more in Kentucky |
| $50,000 | $40,723 | $40,252 | $471 more in Kentucky |
| $60,000 | $48,408 | $47,747 | $661 more in Kentucky |
| $75,000 | $59,085 | $58,139 | $946 more in Kentucky |
| $100,000 | $75,798 | $74,320 | $1,478 more in Kentucky |
| $125,000 | $92,446 | $90,369 | $2,078 more in Kentucky |
| $150,000 | $108,659 | $105,981 | $2,678 more in Kentucky |
| $200,000 | $142,045 | $138,167 | $3,878 more in Kentucky |
Single filer, standard deduction, no local tax. To match $75,000 in Kentucky you would need about $76,450 in New York; to match $75,000 in New York you would need about $73,600 in Kentucky.
How Kentucky and New York tax wages
| 2026 | Kentucky | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax | a flat 3.5% income tax | 9 brackets from 3.9% to 10.9% |
| Top rate | 3.5% | 10.9% |
| Standard deduction | $3,360 single | $8,000 single |
| State tax on $75k | $2,507 (3.3%) | $3,453 (4.6%) |
| Local wage taxes | Yes (15 modeled) | Yes (2 modeled) |
| Reciprocity | Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin | None |
| 2026 change | Kentucky cut its flat rate from 4.0% to 3.5% on January 1, 2026 after meeting its revenue triggers. | No rate change |
Kentucky vs New York: FAQ
Does Kentucky or New York have lower income taxes in 2026?
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $946 more a year in Kentucky than in New York ($79 a month). Kentucky has a flat 3.5% income tax for 2026. New York has 9 brackets from 3.9% to 10.9% for 2026. For single filers the top 10.9% rate starts at $25,000,000 of taxable income.
What salary in New York equals $75,000 in Kentucky?
To take home the same $59,085 that $75,000 leaves in Kentucky, you would need about $76,450 in New York, based on income, payroll, and state taxes only. Housing and other living costs are not included.
How much more do high earners keep in Kentucky than in New York?
At $150,000 the gap is $2,678 a year: $108,659 in Kentucky versus $105,981 in New York. Progressive brackets make the difference grow faster as income rises.
What if I live in Kentucky and work in New York?
Kentucky and New York do not have a reciprocity agreement, so New York withholds tax on wages earned there and Kentucky 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 Kentucky vs New York comparison?
Kentucky has local wage taxes in places like Louisville (2.2% / 1.45%), Lexington (2.75% / 2.25%), Bowling Green (2%). New York has local wage taxes in places like New York City (3.078%-3.876%), Yonkers (1.96% / 0.5%). Those are on top of the statewide figures above, so check the city calculators if you live or work in one of them.