Side-by-side tax comparison between Kentucky (4% top rate) and Maryland (5.75% top rate).
| Salary | Kentucky | Maryland | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50K | $40,048 | $39,391 | −$656 | Kentucky |
| $75K | $57,928 | $56,943 | −$984 | Kentucky |
| $100K | $74,390 | $73,078 | −$1,313 | Kentucky |
| $150K | $106,696 | $104,727 | −$1,969 | Kentucky |
| $200K | $140,103 | $137,478 | −$2,625 | Kentucky |
Kentucky offers higher take-home pay at every salary level. Kentucky's 4% top rate is more favorable than Maryland's 5.75%. 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 Maryland is at 112. After adjusting for cost of living, the gap narrows significantly.