Alabama vs Mississippi: Take-Home Pay (2026)
Same salary, two tax codes — computed for tax year 2026, single filer with standard deduction.
Quick answer
According to netpaytally.com's computations, a $75,000 salary keeps $1,217 more per year in Mississippi than in Alabama ($59,325 vs $58,108, tax year 2026) — the entire gap comes from state tax, since federal and FICA are identical everywhere.
Mississippi's single 4% rate meets Alabama's 3-step ladder (up to 5%), and which system bites harder depends on where a salary sits. Here the answer never flips: Mississippi keeps more at every salary in the table, and the lead reaches $2,967 a year by $250,000. The federal share ($7,670 income tax, $5,738 FICA) cancels out of this comparison entirely.
| Salary | Alabama net | Mississippi net | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $40,120 | $41,087 | $967 |
| $75,000 | $58,108 | $59,325 | $1,217 |
| $100,000 | $74,445 | $75,912 | $1,467 |
| $150,000 | $106,556 | $108,523 | $1,967 |
| $250,000 | $170,947 | $173,914 | $2,967 |
| Alabama | Mississippi | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax type | Graduated | Flat |
| Top rate | 5% | 4% |
| State tax at $75,000 | $3,485 | $2,268 |
| Take-home rank | #43 of 51 | #17 of 51 |
Which state has better take-home pay, Alabama or Mississippi?
At $75,000, Mississippi keeps $1,217 more per year than Alabama ($59,325 vs $58,108, tax year 2026).
Why is take-home pay different if federal tax is the same?
Everything above the federal line is state policy: Mississippi's one-rate system against Alabama's bracket ladder. At $75,000 that structural difference is worth $1,217 a year.
Is Mississippi ahead at every salary level?
Yes — at every salary in the table, from $30,000 to $300,000, Mississippi keeps more; the gap moves from $967 at $50,000 to $2,967 at $250,000.
Which state ranks higher for take-home pay overall?
Alabama ranks #43 of 51 and Mississippi ranks #17 of 51 nationally for take-home pay at $75,000.
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