Connecticut vs Iowa: 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 $352 more per year in Iowa than in Connecticut ($59,394 vs $59,043, tax year 2026) — the entire gap comes from state tax, since federal and FICA are identical everywhere.
Iowa's single 3.8% rate meets Connecticut's 7-step ladder (up to 6.99%), and which system bites harder depends on where a salary sits. Below about $30,000 the ladder's low opening steps actually undercut the flat rate, so the winner flips there; from $75,000 upward Iowa stays ahead — by $4,177 a year at $250,000. The federal share ($7,670 income tax, $5,738 FICA) cancels out of this comparison entirely.
| Salary | Connecticut net | Iowa net | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $41,030 | $41,107 | $77 |
| $75,000 | $59,043 | $59,394 | $352 |
| $100,000 | $75,255 | $76,032 | $777 |
| $150,000 | $106,941 | $108,743 | $1,802 |
| $250,000 | $170,157 | $174,334 | $4,177 |
| Connecticut | Iowa | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax type | Graduated | Flat |
| Top rate | 6.99% | 3.8% |
| State tax at $75,000 | $2,550 | $2,198 |
| Take-home rank | #24 of 51 | #16 of 51 |
Which state has better take-home pay, Connecticut or Iowa?
At $75,000, Iowa keeps $352 more per year than Connecticut ($59,394 vs $59,043, tax year 2026).
Why is take-home pay different if federal tax is the same?
Everything above the federal line is state policy: Iowa's one-rate system against Connecticut's bracket ladder. At $75,000 that structural difference is worth $352 a year.
Is Iowa ahead at every salary level?
No — below about $30,000, Connecticut actually keeps more, because a graduated ladder opens with lower rates than a flat tax. The advantage flips before $75,000 and widens to $4,177 at $250,000.
Which state ranks higher for take-home pay overall?
Connecticut ranks #24 of 51 and Iowa ranks #16 of 51 nationally for take-home pay at $75,000.
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