Iowa vs Rhode Island: 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 $3 more per year in Rhode Island than in Iowa ($59,397 vs $59,394, tax year 2026) — the entire gap comes from state tax, since federal and FICA are identical everywhere.
Iowa's single 3.8% rate meets Rhode Island's 3-step ladder (up to 5.99%), and which system bites harder depends on where a salary sits. Here the answer never flips: Rhode Island keeps more at every salary in the table, and the lead reaches $2,009 a year by $250,000. The federal share ($7,670 income tax, $5,738 FICA) cancels out of this comparison entirely.
| Salary | Iowa net | Rhode Island net | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $41,107 | $41,097 | $10 |
| $75,000 | $59,394 | $59,397 | $3 |
| $100,000 | $76,032 | $76,032 | $0 |
| $150,000 | $108,743 | $108,268 | $475 |
| $250,000 | $174,334 | $172,325 | $2,009 |
| Iowa | Rhode Island | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax type | Flat | Graduated |
| Top rate | 3.8% | 5.99% |
| State tax at $75,000 | $2,198 | $2,196 |
| Take-home rank | #16 of 51 | #15 of 51 |
Which state has better take-home pay, Iowa or Rhode Island?
At $75,000, Rhode Island keeps $3 more per year than Iowa ($59,397 vs $59,394, 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 Rhode Island's bracket ladder. At $75,000 that structural difference is worth $3 a year.
Is Rhode Island ahead at every salary level?
Yes — at every salary in the table, from $30,000 to $300,000, Rhode Island keeps more; the gap moves from $10 at $50,000 to $2,009 at $250,000.
Which state ranks higher for take-home pay overall?
Iowa ranks #16 of 51 and Rhode Island ranks #15 of 51 nationally for take-home pay at $75,000.
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