Maine vs North Carolina Taxes: Take-Home Pay Compared (2026)
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $1,253 more a year in North Carolina than in Maine ($104 a month).
Maine
5.8% - 7.15% state income tax
$57,346
take-home on $75,000 · $4,779/month
49th of 51 states for take-home pay
Maine 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 Maine and North Carolina by salary
| Salary | Maine | North Carolina | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $32,444 | $32,724 | $280 more in North Carolina |
| $50,000 | $39,804 | $40,360 | $556 more in North Carolina |
| $60,000 | $47,164 | $47,996 | $832 more in North Carolina |
| $75,000 | $57,346 | $58,600 | $1,253 more in North Carolina |
| $100,000 | $73,147 | $75,190 | $2,043 more in North Carolina |
| $125,000 | $88,882 | $91,716 | $2,833 more in North Carolina |
| $150,000 | $104,183 | $107,806 | $3,623 more in North Carolina |
| $200,000 | $135,744 | $140,947 | $5,203 more in North Carolina |
Single filer, standard deduction, no local tax. To match $75,000 in Maine you would need about $73,100 in North Carolina; to match $75,000 in North Carolina you would need about $77,000 in Maine.
How Maine and North Carolina tax wages
| 2026 | Maine | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax | 3 brackets from 5.8% to 7.15% | a flat 3.99% income tax |
| Top rate | 7.15% | 3.99% |
| Standard deduction | $8,350 single | $12,750 single |
| State tax on $75k | $4,246 (5.7%) | $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. |
Maine vs North Carolina: FAQ
Does Maine or North Carolina have lower income taxes in 2026?
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $1,253 more a year in North Carolina than in Maine ($104 a month). Maine has 3 brackets from 5.8% to 7.15% for 2026. For single filers the top 7.15% rate starts at $64,849 of taxable income. North Carolina has a flat 3.99% income tax for 2026.
What salary in North Carolina equals $75,000 in Maine?
To take home the same $57,346 that $75,000 leaves in Maine, you would need about $73,100 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 North Carolina than in Maine?
At $150,000 the gap is $3,623 a year: $104,183 in Maine versus $107,806 in North Carolina. Progressive brackets make the difference grow faster as income rises.
What if I live in Maine and work in North Carolina?
Maine and North Carolina do not have a reciprocity agreement, so North Carolina withholds tax on wages earned there and Maine generally gives residents a credit for tax paid to the other state. You effectively pay the higher of the two rates.