Delaware vs Kentucky: 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 $1,102 more per year in Kentucky than in Delaware ($59,085 vs $57,984, tax year 2026) — the entire gap comes from state tax, since federal and FICA are identical everywhere.
Kentucky's single 3.5% rate meets Delaware's 7-step ladder (up to 6.6%), and which system bites harder depends on where a salary sits. Here the answer never flips: Kentucky keeps more at every salary in the table, and the lead reaches $6,527 a year by $250,000. The federal share ($7,670 income tax, $5,738 FICA) cancels out of this comparison entirely.
| Salary | Delaware net | Kentucky net | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $40,257 | $40,723 | $466 |
| $75,000 | $57,984 | $59,085 | $1,102 |
| $100,000 | $73,921 | $75,798 | $1,877 |
| $150,000 | $105,232 | $108,659 | $3,427 |
| $250,000 | $168,023 | $174,550 | $6,527 |
| Delaware | Kentucky | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax type | Graduated | Flat |
| Top rate | 6.6% | 3.5% |
| State tax at $75,000 | $3,609 | $2,507 |
| Take-home rank | #48 of 51 | #22 of 51 |
Which state has better take-home pay, Delaware or Kentucky?
At $75,000, Kentucky keeps $1,102 more per year than Delaware ($59,085 vs $57,984, tax year 2026).
Why is take-home pay different if federal tax is the same?
Everything above the federal line is state policy: Kentucky's one-rate system against Delaware's bracket ladder. At $75,000 that structural difference is worth $1,102 a year.
Is Kentucky ahead at every salary level?
Yes — at every salary in the table, from $30,000 to $300,000, Kentucky keeps more; the gap moves from $466 at $50,000 to $6,527 at $250,000.
Which state ranks higher for take-home pay overall?
Delaware ranks #48 of 51 and Kentucky ranks #22 of 51 nationally for take-home pay at $75,000.
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