Side-by-side tax comparison between Louisiana (4.25% top rate) and North Carolina (4.5% top rate).
| Salary | Louisiana | North Carolina | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50K | $40,704 | $40,610 | −$94 | Louisiana |
| $75K | $58,912 | $58,771 | −$141 | Louisiana |
| $100K | $75,703 | $75,515 | −$188 | Louisiana |
| $150K | $108,665 | $108,384 | −$281 | Louisiana |
| $200K | $142,728 | $142,353 | −$375 | Louisiana |
Louisiana offers higher take-home pay at every salary level. Louisiana's 4.25% top rate is more favorable than North Carolina's 4.5%. At $100K, the difference is $188/year — that’s $16/month.
However, cost of living matters. Louisiana has a cost index of 91 while North Carolina is at 95. With similar costs of living, the tax difference is the main factor.