STATE TAX COMPARISON · TAX YEAR 2026
Kentucky vs Ohio taxes in 2026
Both tax income at a flat rate: Kentucky 3.5% and Ohio 2.75% above $26,050. Single filers keep more in Ohio at every income shown: $701 more at $50,000, rising to $2,194 at $250,000. A married couple with two children keeps more in Ohio at every income shown: $878 more at $50,000, rising to $2,351 at $250,000.
Your estimate
- You keep more in Ohio
- $888.40 a year
- Kentucky income tax
- $2,507.40
- Ohio income tax
- $1,619.00
- Take-home in Kentucky
- $59,085.10
- Take-home in Ohio
- $59,973.50
Take-home pay in Kentucky and Ohio
Take-home pay is wages minus state income tax, federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare. Property, sales and other taxes are not included.
| Kentucky | Ohio | |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 in wages: $701 more take-home in Ohio | ||
| State income tax | $1,632 | $932 |
| Take-home pay | $40,723 | $41,424 |
| $75,000 in wages: $888 more take-home in Ohio | ||
| State income tax | $2,507 | $1,619 |
| Take-home pay | $59,085 | $59,974 |
| $100,000 in wages: $1,069 more take-home in Ohio | ||
| State income tax | $3,382 | $2,313 |
| Take-home pay | $75,798 | $76,867 |
| $150,000 in wages: $1,444 more take-home in Ohio | ||
| State income tax | $5,132 | $3,688 |
| Take-home pay | $108,659 | $110,103 |
| $250,000 in wages: $2,194 more take-home in Ohio | ||
| State income tax | $8,632 | $6,438 |
| Take-home pay | $174,550 | $176,744 |
| Kentucky | Ohio | |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 in wages: $878 more take-home in Ohio | ||
| State income tax | $1,632 | $754 |
| Take-home pay | $47,163 | $48,041 |
| $75,000 in wages: $1,066 more take-home in Ohio | ||
| State income tax | $2,507 | $1,442 |
| Take-home pay | $66,515 | $67,581 |
| $100,000 in wages: $1,226 more take-home in Ohio | ||
| State income tax | $3,382 | $2,157 |
| Take-home pay | $85,728 | $86,953 |
| $150,000 in wages: $1,601 more take-home in Ohio | ||
| State income tax | $5,132 | $3,532 |
| Take-home pay | $122,453 | $124,053 |
| $250,000 in wages: $2,351 more take-home in Ohio | ||
| State income tax | $8,632 | $6,282 |
| Take-home pay | $193,236 | $195,586 |
Rates and deductions
| Kentucky | Ohio | |
|---|---|---|
| Rates | 3.5% flat | 2.75% flat, above $26,050 |
| Standard deduction | $3,360 single, $3,360 joint | None |
| Personal exemption | None | $2,400 single, $4,800 joint, shrinking above $40,000 of income |
Retirement and Social Security
Does Kentucky tax Social Security?
No. Kentucky does not tax Social Security benefits.
Kentucky Social Security tax rules
Does Kentucky tax retirement income?
Partly. Kentucky excludes up to $31,110 (latest published, 2025) per person of pension and 401(k) and IRA income combined, at any age, and taxes the rest at its flat rate.
Kentucky retirement income tax for 2026
Does Ohio tax Social Security?
No. Ohio does not tax Social Security benefits.
Ohio Social Security tax rules
Does Ohio tax retirement income?
Yes. Ohio taxes pensions and 401(k) and IRA withdrawals at its regular rates, with a retirement income credit of up to $200 per return.