Delaware vs Vermont:
Take-Home Pay Comparison
Side-by-side tax comparison between Delaware (6.6% top rate, graduated) and Vermont (8.75% top rate, graduated). See which state lets you keep more at every salary level, and how cost of living changes the picture.
Tax Structure: Delaware vs Vermont
Delaware uses a graduated income tax (2.2-6.6%) while Vermont has a graduated system (3.35-8.75%). On a $100K salary, Delaware takes $4,290 in state and local taxes compared to Vermont’s $5,688 \u2014 a difference of $1,398.
Both states use graduated brackets, but Vermont’s top rate of 8.75% is higher than Delaware’s 6.6%.
Delaware also has local income taxes (estimated at $0/year on $100K), which Vermont does not. This widens the gap beyond just state rates.
Take-Home at Every Salary Level
Delaware wins at 10 out of 10 salary levels tested. The advantage exists but is modest across the income spectrum.
| Salary | Delaware | Vermont | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40K | $32,604 | $32,045 | −$559 | Delaware |
| $50K | $40,210 | $39,511 | −$699 | Delaware |
| $60K | $47,816 | $46,978 | −$839 | Delaware |
| $75K | $58,320 | $57,272 | −$1,048 | Delaware |
| $100K | $74,835 | $73,438 | −$1,398 | Delaware |
| $120K | $88,047 | $86,370 | −$1,677 | Delaware |
| $150K | $107,316 | $105,220 | −$2,096 | Delaware |
| $200K | $140,307 | $137,512 | −$2,795 | Delaware |
| $250K | $172,539 | $169,045 | −$3,494 | Delaware |
| $300K | $202,459 | $198,266 | −$4,193 | Delaware |
Cost of Living: Delaware (102) vs Vermont (105)
Take-home pay only tells part of the story. Delaware has a cost of living index of 102 while Vermont is at 105 (national average = 100).
With similar costs of living (102 vs 105), the tax difference is the primary factor. What you see in raw take-home pay is essentially what you get in purchasing power: $73,368 in Delaware vs $69,940 in Vermont.
Married Filing Jointly: How It Changes the Comparison
For a single earner at $100K filing jointly, take-home becomes $80,420 in Delaware and $79,023 in Vermont \u2014 a difference of $1,398. The gap remains similar regardless of filing status.
Should You Move from Vermont to Delaware?
On paper, moving from Vermont to Delaware would save $1,398/year on a $100K salary, or $6,988 over 5 years. But relocation involves real costs: moving expenses, potentially buying/selling a home, changing jobs, and adjusting to a new community.
At $1,398/year, the tax difference alone likely isn’t worth relocating for. Other factors — job market, lifestyle, family — should drive the decision. The tax savings are a nice bonus if you’re already considering the move for other reasons.