Kentucky has a flat income tax rate of 3.5%, the 14th lowest combined sales tax (6.00%) and the federal $7.25 minimum wage as of 2026.
$7,719 a year: that is roughly what a Kentucky homeowner earning $75,000 pays in state income tax ($2,507), sales tax on $25,000 of purchases ($1,500), property tax on a $300,000 house ($2,220) and electricity at 900 kWh a month ($1,491).
Kentucky uses a single flat rate. Single filers' standard deduction: $3,360. On $50,000 of wages, a single filer's Kentucky tax works out to about $1,632 (3.3% of wages); on $100,000 it is about $3,382 (3.4%). Source: Tax Foundation, January 1, 2026.
| Rate | Single filers | Married filing jointly |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5% | over $0 | over $0 |
Estimated 2026 take-home pay for a single filer with no pre-tax deductions, using the federal brackets and $16,100 standard deduction, Social Security and Medicare, and Kentucky's brackets above. Open the paycheck calculator set to Kentucky to add a 401(k), change pay frequency or filing status.
| Salary | Federal tax | FICA | State tax | Take-home (year) | Per biweekly check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $3,820 | $3,825 | $1,632 | $40,723 | $1,566 |
| $75,000 | $7,670 | $5,738 | $2,507 | $59,085 | $2,273 |
| $100,000 | $13,170 | $7,650 | $3,382 | $75,798 | $2,915 |
The state rate is 6.00% and local governments add 0.00% on average, for a combined 6.00%, 14th lowest of the 50 states and D.C. (median 7.00%). A $1,000 purchase carries about $60 in sales tax at the average combined rate. Source: Tax Foundation, July 1, 2026.
Kentucky follows the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour (the Kentucky rate equals the federal minimum), which is $15,080 a year for full-time work (2,080 hours). Source: U.S. Department of Labor, July 1, 2026.
Homeowners in Kentucky paid property taxes equal to 0.74% of home value on average, the 21st lowest effective rate (median state 0.79%). On a $300,000 home that is about $2,220 a year, or $185 a month in escrow. Source: Tax Foundation (Census ACS data), 2024 data.
Residential electricity averaged 13.81¢ per kWh in July 2026, the 8th lowest of the 50 states and D.C. (median 16.09¢). A household using 900 kWh a month would pay about $124 before fixed charges. Source: U.S. EIA, July 2026 data.
Kentucky sits in the middle of its 7 neighbors on taxes, wages and power prices.
| State | Top income tax | Sales tax | Min. wage | Property tax | Electricity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | 3.5% | 6.00% | $7.25 | 0.74% | 13.81¢ |
| Illinois | 4.95% | 8.98% | $15.00 | 1.88% | 19.22¢ |
| Indiana | 2.95% | 7.00% | $7.25 | 0.76% | 16.73¢ |
| Missouri | 4.7% | 8.44% | $15.00 | 0.89% | 16.09¢ |
| Ohio | 2.75% | 7.29% | $11.00 | 1.36% | 19.45¢ |
| Tennessee | None | 9.61% | $7.25 | 0.52% | 13.71¢ |
| Virginia | 5.75% | 5.77% | $12.77 | 0.78% | 17.55¢ |
| West Virginia | 4.82% | 6.60% | $8.75 | 0.51% | 15.78¢ |
Kentucky figures use statewide averages and skip credits, exemptions and local income taxes; check Kentucky revenue and labor department sites before filing or hiring.
Explore calculators by category: Finance · Health · Legal · Math · Construction
Planning a major financial decision in Kentucky? Our Home Buyer's Guide and Retirement Planning Guide walk you through every step with the right calculator at each stage.