Side-by-side tax comparison between Kentucky (4% top rate) and Louisiana (4.25% top rate).
| Salary | Kentucky | Louisiana | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50K | $40,048 | $40,704 | +$656 | Louisiana |
| $75K | $57,928 | $58,912 | +$984 | Louisiana |
| $100K | $74,390 | $75,703 | +$1,313 | Louisiana |
| $150K | $106,696 | $108,665 | +$1,969 | Louisiana |
| $200K | $140,103 | $142,728 | +$2,625 | Louisiana |
Louisiana offers higher take-home pay at every salary level. Louisiana's 4.25% top rate is more favorable than Kentucky's 4%. At $100K, the difference is $1,313/year — that’s $109/month.
However, cost of living matters. Kentucky has a cost index of 90 while Louisiana is at 91. With similar costs of living, the tax difference is the main factor.