Side-by-side tax comparison between Iowa (5.7% top rate) and Michigan (4.25% top rate).
| Salary | Iowa | Michigan | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50K | $40,160 | $39,954 | −$206 | Iowa |
| $75K | $58,096 | $57,787 | −$309 | Iowa |
| $100K | $74,615 | $74,203 | −$413 | Iowa |
| $150K | $107,034 | $106,415 | −$619 | Iowa |
| $200K | $140,553 | $139,728 | −$825 | Iowa |
Iowa offers higher take-home pay at every salary level. Iowa's 5.7% top rate is more favorable than Michigan's 4.25%. At $100K, the difference is $413/year — that’s $34/month.
However, cost of living matters. Iowa has a cost index of 89 while Michigan is at 91. With similar costs of living, the tax difference is the main factor.