Kentucky vs Ohio Taxes: Take-Home Pay Compared (2026)
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $1,161 more a year in Ohio than in Kentucky ($97 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 ›Ohio
2.75% flat state income tax
$60,246
take-home on $75,000 · $5,021/month
11th of 51 states for take-home pay
Ohio paycheck calculator ›Take-home pay in Kentucky and Ohio by salary
| Salary | Kentucky | Ohio | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $33,038 | $33,936 | $898 more in Ohio |
| $50,000 | $40,723 | $41,696 | $973 more in Ohio |
| $60,000 | $48,408 | $49,456 | $1,048 more in Ohio |
| $75,000 | $59,085 | $60,246 | $1,161 more in Ohio |
| $100,000 | $75,798 | $77,146 | $1,348 more in Ohio |
| $125,000 | $92,446 | $93,983 | $1,536 more in Ohio |
| $150,000 | $108,659 | $110,382 | $1,723 more in Ohio |
| $200,000 | $142,045 | $144,143 | $2,098 more in Ohio |
Single filer, standard deduction, no local tax. To match $75,000 in Kentucky you would need about $73,300 in Ohio; to match $75,000 in Ohio you would need about $76,750 in Kentucky.
How Kentucky and Ohio tax wages
| 2026 | Kentucky | Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax | a flat 3.5% income tax | a flat 2.75% rate on income above $26,050 |
| Top rate | 3.5% | 2.75% |
| Standard deduction | $3,360 single | 0% on first $26,050 |
| State tax on $75k | $2,507 (3.3%) | $1,346 (1.8%) |
| Local wage taxes | Yes (15 modeled) | Yes (21 modeled) |
| Reciprocity | Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin | Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia |
| 2026 change | Kentucky cut its flat rate from 4.0% to 3.5% on January 1, 2026 after meeting its revenue triggers. | Ohio replaced its two brackets with a flat 2.75% rate on income above $26,050 starting in 2026. |
Kentucky vs Ohio: FAQ
Does Kentucky or Ohio have lower income taxes in 2026?
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $1,161 more a year in Ohio than in Kentucky ($97 a month). Kentucky has a flat 3.5% income tax for 2026. Ohio has a flat 2.75% rate on income above $26,050 for 2026.
What salary in Ohio equals $75,000 in Kentucky?
To take home the same $59,085 that $75,000 leaves in Kentucky, you would need about $73,300 in Ohio, based on income, payroll, and state taxes only. Housing and other living costs are not included.
How much more do high earners keep in Ohio than in Kentucky?
At $150,000 the gap is $1,723 a year: $108,659 in Kentucky versus $110,382 in Ohio. With flat or no state tax, the gap grows roughly in line with salary.
Do Kentucky and Ohio have a reciprocity agreement?
Yes. If you live in one of these states and work in the other, you can usually file a nonresident exemption form with your employer so only your home state withholds income tax.
Do local taxes change the Kentucky vs Ohio comparison?
Kentucky has local wage taxes in places like Louisville (2.2% / 1.45%), Lexington (2.75% / 2.25%), Bowling Green (2%). Ohio has local wage taxes in places like Columbus (2.5%), Cleveland (2.5%), Cincinnati (1.8%). Those are on top of the statewide figures above, so check the city calculators if you live or work in one of them.