Idaho vs New Mexico: 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 $507 more per year in New Mexico than in Idaho ($59,233 vs $58,726, tax year 2026) — the entire gap comes from state tax, since federal and FICA are identical everywhere.
Idaho's single 5.3% rate meets New Mexico's 6-step ladder (up to 5.9%), and which system bites harder depends on where a salary sits. Here the answer never flips: New Mexico keeps more at every salary in the table, and the lead reaches $984 a year by $250,000. The federal share ($7,670 income tax, $5,738 FICA) cancels out of this comparison entirely.
| Salary | Idaho net | New Mexico net | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $40,813 | $41,171 | $357 |
| $75,000 | $58,726 | $59,233 | $507 |
| $100,000 | $74,988 | $75,611 | $623 |
| $150,000 | $106,949 | $107,772 | $823 |
| $250,000 | $171,041 | $172,024 | $984 |
| Idaho | New Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax type | Flat | Graduated |
| Top rate | 5.3% | 5.9% |
| State tax at $75,000 | $2,867 | $2,359 |
| Take-home rank | #33 of 51 | #19 of 51 |
Which state has better take-home pay, Idaho or New Mexico?
At $75,000, New Mexico keeps $507 more per year than Idaho ($59,233 vs $58,726, tax year 2026).
Why is take-home pay different if federal tax is the same?
Everything above the federal line is state policy: Idaho's one-rate system against New Mexico's bracket ladder. At $75,000 that structural difference is worth $507 a year.
Is New Mexico ahead at every salary level?
Yes — at every salary in the table, from $30,000 to $300,000, New Mexico keeps more; the gap moves from $357 at $50,000 to $984 at $250,000.
Which state ranks higher for take-home pay overall?
Idaho ranks #33 of 51 and New Mexico ranks #19 of 51 nationally for take-home pay at $75,000.
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