Side-by-side tax comparison between Kentucky (4% top rate) and Washington (no income tax).
| Salary | Kentucky | Washington | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50K | $40,048 | $42,298 | +$2,250 | Washington |
| $75K | $57,928 | $61,303 | +$3,375 | Washington |
| $100K | $74,390 | $78,890 | +$4,500 | Washington |
| $150K | $106,696 | $113,446 | +$6,750 | Washington |
| $200K | $140,103 | $149,103 | +$9,000 | Washington |
Washington offers higher take-home pay at every salary level. With no state income tax, Washington gives you a significant advantage over Kentucky's 4% top rate. At $100K, the difference is $4,500/year — that’s $375/month.
However, cost of living matters. Kentucky has a cost index of 90 while Washington is at 110. After adjusting for cost of living, the gap narrows significantly.