Indiana vs Louisiana Paycheck Comparison 2026

Annual salary

$

Annual salary

$
Additional options (filing status, deductions)
Filing status
$
$

You take home $38/yr more in Indiana

$3/mo · $1/paycheck more

Indiana
Louisiana

$59,380/yr in Indiana vs $59,343/yr in Louisiana.

Indiana

Take-home per paycheck

$2,283.85

$59,380/yr · 26x/yr

Federal tax$7,67010%
State tax$2,2133%
Social Security$4,6506%
Medicare$1,0881%
Take-home$59,38079%
Tax rates
Effective: 20.8%Marginal fed: 22.0%Marginal state: 2.9%

Louisiana

Take-home per paycheck

$2,282.40

$59,343/yr · 26x/yr

Federal tax$7,67010%
State tax$2,2503%
Social Security$4,6506%
Medicare$1,0881%
Take-home$59,34379%
Tax rates
Effective: 20.9%Marginal fed: 22.0%Marginal state: 3.0%

Cost of living comparison

Cost of living in Indiana is 2% lower than in Louisiana.

At a $75,000 salary, take-home pay of $59,380 in Indiana has the purchasing power of $57,974 in Louisiana terms.

After adjusting for cost of living, Louisiana comes out ahead by $1,369/yr.

Housing
Median home$230,000vs$210,000
Indiana
10% more
Louisiana
Avg 2BR rent$1,056/movs$1,183/mo
Indiana
Louisiana
12% more
Groceries
Index
Indiana
3% more
Louisiana
Transportation
Regular gas$3.49/galvs$3.11/gal
Indiana
12% more
Louisiana
Utilities
Electric bill$101/movs$78/mo
Indiana
29% more
Louisiana
Healthcare
Index
Indiana
3% more
Louisiana
Childcare & Misc
Infant childcare$14,471/yrvs$8,873/yr
Indiana
63% more
Louisiana

Estimate based on 2026 tax rates and standard deductions. Does not include local taxes, itemized deductions, tax credits, or other individual circumstances.

Tax system comparison

Indiana: Indiana has a flat state income tax of 2.95%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate.

Louisiana: Louisiana has a flat state income tax of 3.00%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate.

Take-home pay at different salaries (single filer, 2026)

Salary Indiana take-home Louisiana take-home Difference
$50,000 $40,880 $40,855 + $25
$75,000 $59,380 $59,343 + $38
$100,000 $76,230 $76,180 + $50
$150,000 $109,366 $109,291 + $75
$200,000 $143,027 $142,927 + $100
$300,000 $206,327 $206,177 + $150

Positive values mean higher take-home in Indiana. Assumes single filer, no deductions.

FAQ

Which state has lower taxes, Indiana or Louisiana?

At a $100,000 salary, Indiana results in $50 more annual take-home pay. Indiana has a flat state income tax of 2.95%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate. Louisiana has a flat state income tax of 3.00%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate.

How much more do you take home in Indiana vs the other state?

The difference depends on salary. At $50,000, the gap is $25/yr. At $150,000, it grows to $75/yr. At $300,000, the difference is $150/yr.

Do Indiana and Louisiana have the same federal taxes?

Yes. Federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare are the same in every state. Only state income tax differs. This calculator shows the combined effect of federal and state taxes on your take-home pay.

Is it cheaper to live in Indiana or Louisiana?

Louisiana is cheaper to live in. Cost of living in Indiana is 1% higher than in Louisiana. Indiana's Regional Price Parity is 90.6 and Louisiana's is 90.1 (US average = 100).

Is Louisiana cheaper than Indiana?

Yes. Louisiana has a lower cost of living than Indiana (index 90.1 vs 90.6). Housing is typically the biggest difference between the two states.

Is Indiana more expensive than Louisiana?

Yes. Indiana has a higher cost of living (index 90.6) compared to Louisiana (index 90.1). The national average is 100. Housing costs are typically the largest driver of the difference.

After cost of living, which state is actually cheaper?

At a $100,000 salary, take-home pay of $76,230 in Indiana has the purchasing power of $76,653 in Louisiana terms. Conversely, $76,180 in Louisiana equals $75,760 in Indiana terms. After adjusting for both taxes and cost of living, Indiana comes out ahead.

Indiana vs Louisiana cost of living — what's the difference?

The overall cost of living is 1% different between Indiana and Louisiana. Living costs are 9% below the national average Living costs are 10% below the national average After taxes and cost of living, Indiana gives you more purchasing power on a $100,000 salary.

Do I need to file state tax returns in both Indiana and Louisiana?

Indiana requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. Louisiana requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. If you move between states mid-year, you typically file a part-year resident return in each state for the income earned while living there. Each state has its own tax return form — check your state's department of revenue website for the correct form and e-filing options.

Related tools

Indiana Paycheck Estimator · Louisiana Paycheck Estimator · All states