Iowa vs Wisconsin: 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 $396 more per year in Iowa than in Wisconsin ($59,394 vs $58,998, tax year 2026) — the entire gap comes from state tax, since federal and FICA are identical everywhere.
Iowa's single 3.8% rate meets Wisconsin's 4-step ladder (up to 7.65%), and which system bites harder depends on where a salary sits. Here the answer never flips: Iowa keeps more at every salary in the table, and the lead reaches $3,021 a year by $250,000. The federal share ($7,670 income tax, $5,738 FICA) cancels out of this comparison entirely.
| Salary | Iowa net | Wisconsin net | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $41,107 | $40,936 | $171 |
| $75,000 | $59,394 | $58,998 | $396 |
| $100,000 | $76,032 | $75,261 | $771 |
| $150,000 | $108,743 | $107,222 | $1,521 |
| $250,000 | $174,334 | $171,313 | $3,021 |
| Iowa | Wisconsin | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax type | Flat | Graduated |
| Top rate | 3.8% | 7.65% |
| State tax at $75,000 | $2,198 | $2,594 |
| Take-home rank | #16 of 51 | #27 of 51 |
Which state has better take-home pay, Iowa or Wisconsin?
At $75,000, Iowa keeps $396 more per year than Wisconsin ($59,394 vs $58,998, 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 Wisconsin's bracket ladder. At $75,000 that structural difference is worth $396 a year.
Is Iowa ahead at every salary level?
Yes — at every salary in the table, from $30,000 to $300,000, Iowa keeps more; the gap moves from $171 at $50,000 to $3,021 at $250,000.
Which state ranks higher for take-home pay overall?
Iowa ranks #16 of 51 and Wisconsin ranks #27 of 51 nationally for take-home pay at $75,000.
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