Iowa vs North Carolina Paycheck Comparison 2026
Annual salary
Annual salary
Additional options (filing status, deductions)
$286 /yr more take-home in Iowa
$24/mo · $11 a paycheck.
Iowa
North Carolina
$59,394/yr in Iowa vs $59,109/yr in North Carolina.
Iowa
Take-home per paycheck
$2,284.40
$59,394/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
North Carolina
Take-home per paycheck
$2,273.41
$59,109/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
What this paycheck affords in Iowa vs North Carolina
Sized off $4,950/mo take-home in Iowa and $4,926/mo in North Carolina. Every figure below is a spending rule of thumb, not a tax rule.
Purchasing power
$64,752 is what Iowa take-home is worth at North Carolina prices
Against $59,109 actually paid in North Carolina, leaving Iowa $5,643/yr ahead once cost of living is taken off.
Rent
$228 /mo more for a two-bedroom in North Carolina
$1,088/mo in Iowa, $1,316/mo in North Carolina.
The average two-bedroom takes 22% of take-home in Iowa and 27% in North Carolina — inside the comfortable range in both.
Buying a home
$115,000 more for the median home in North Carolina
$210,000 in Iowa, $325,000 in North Carolina.
This salary covers the median home in Iowa; the North Carolina median is 1.2× what it supports. Lenders size a mortgage off gross pay, so the budgets start from $75,000 at a 28% debt-to-income ratio, 6.75% over 30 years, each with its own state property tax rate.
What's left each month
$315 /mo more left over in Iowa
Iowa has $1,538/mo spare; North Carolina has $1,223/mo spare.
Both paychecks cover the local average for everything. Splitting rent with one roommate would free up $544/mo in Iowa and $658/mo in North Carolina.
Monthly cost by expense class
Every class on one scale, so housing's share of the month stays visible. Housing is the measured average two-bedroom; the rest are BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey averages moved by each state's cost-of-living index.
Other costs
| Cost | Iowa | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.19/gal | $3.29/gal |
| Electricity | $83/mo | $103/mo |
| Infant childcare | $800/mo | $977/mo |
Childcare sits outside the budget above because it applies to some households and not others — on its own it is 16% of take-home in Iowa and 20% in North Carolina.
Sources: MERIC/C2ER Cost of Living Index (2025), AAA Fuel Gauge Report (2025), EIA State Electricity Profiles (2024), Child Care Aware of America (2024), Zillow Home Value Index (2025), BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
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
Iowa: Iowa has a flat state income tax of 3.80%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate.
North Carolina: North Carolina has a flat state income tax of 3.99%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate.
Take-home pay at different salaries (single filer, 2026)
| Salary | Iowa take-home | North Carolina take-home | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $41,107 | $40,869 | + $238 |
| $75,000 | $59,394 | $59,109 | + $286 |
| $100,000 | $76,032 | $75,699 | + $333 |
| $150,000 | $108,743 | $108,315 | + $428 |
| $200,000 | $141,979 | $141,456 | + $523 |
| $300,000 | $204,429 | $203,715 | + $713 |
Positive values mean higher take-home in Iowa. Assumes single filer, no deductions.
FAQ
Which state has lower taxes, Iowa or North Carolina?
At a $100,000 salary, Iowa results in $333 more annual take-home pay. Iowa has a flat state income tax of 3.80%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate. North Carolina has a flat state income tax of 3.99%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate.
How much more do you take home in Iowa vs the other state?
The difference depends on salary. At $50,000, the gap is $238/yr. At $150,000, it grows to $428/yr. At $300,000, the difference is $713/yr.
Do Iowa and North Carolina 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 Iowa or North Carolina?
Iowa is cheaper to live in. Cost of living in Iowa is 4% lower than in North Carolina. Iowa's Regional Price Parity is 90.2 and North Carolina's is 93.7 (US average = 100).
Is Iowa cheaper than North Carolina?
Yes. Iowa has a lower cost of living than North Carolina (index 90.2 vs 93.7). Housing is typically the biggest difference between the two states.
Is North Carolina more expensive than Iowa?
Yes. North Carolina has a higher cost of living (index 93.7) compared to Iowa (index 90.2). 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 $76,032 in Iowa has the purchasing power of $73,192 in North Carolina terms. Conversely, $75,699 in North Carolina equals $78,636 in Iowa terms. After adjusting for both taxes and cost of living, North Carolina comes out ahead.
Iowa vs North Carolina cost of living — what's the difference?
The overall cost of living is 4% different between Iowa and North Carolina. Living costs are 10% below the national average Living costs are 6% below the national average After taxes and cost of living, North Carolina gives you more purchasing power on a $100,000 salary.
Do I need to file state tax returns in both Iowa and North Carolina?
Iowa requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. North Carolina 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
- Iowa vs North Carolina Cost of Living — Compare housing, groceries, utilities, and overall expenses
- Iowa Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and overall index
- North Carolina Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and overall index
- How much house can you afford in Iowa?
- How much house can you afford in North Carolina?
- Iowa Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates and effective tax rate
- North Carolina Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates and effective tax rate
- Iowa Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- North Carolina Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Pay Raise Calculator — See how a raise changes your take-home pay
- Gross-Up Calculator — Find the salary you need to hit a target take-home
- Salary to Hourly Converter — Convert annual salary to hourly rate
- Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
Iowa Paycheck Estimator · North Carolina Paycheck Estimator · All states