Louisiana vs Mississippi:
Take-Home Pay Comparison
Side-by-side tax comparison between Louisiana (3% top rate, flat) and Mississippi (4% top rate, flat). See which state lets you keep more at every salary level, and how cost of living changes the picture.
Tax Structure: Louisiana vs Mississippi
Louisiana uses a flat income tax (3% flat) while Mississippi has a flat system (4% flat). On a $100K salary, Louisiana takes $3,000 in state and local taxes compared to Mississippi’s $4,000 \u2014 a difference of $1,000.
Both states use flat brackets, but Mississippi’s top rate of 4% is higher than Louisiana’s 3%.
Take-Home at Every Salary Level
Louisiana wins at 10 out of 10 salary levels tested. The advantage exists but is modest across the income spectrum.
| Salary | Louisiana | Mississippi | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40K | $33,120 | $32,720 | −$400 | Louisiana |
| $50K | $40,855 | $40,355 | −$500 | Louisiana |
| $60K | $48,590 | $47,990 | −$600 | Louisiana |
| $75K | $59,288 | $58,538 | −$750 | Louisiana |
| $100K | $76,125 | $75,125 | −$1,000 | Louisiana |
| $120K | $89,595 | $88,395 | −$1,200 | Louisiana |
| $150K | $109,251 | $107,751 | −$1,500 | Louisiana |
| $200K | $142,887 | $140,887 | −$2,000 | Louisiana |
| $250K | $175,764 | $173,264 | −$2,500 | Louisiana |
| $300K | $206,329 | $203,329 | −$3,000 | Louisiana |
Cost of Living: Louisiana (91) vs Mississippi (83)
Take-home pay only tells part of the story. Louisiana has a cost of living index of 91 while Mississippi is at 83 (national average = 100).
The cost of living gap is moderate. After adjustment, $100K has purchasing power of $83,654 in Louisiana vs $90,512 in Mississippi. However, Mississippi actually provides better purchasing power despite Louisiana’s take-home advantage.
Married Filing Jointly: How It Changes the Comparison
For a single earner at $100K filing jointly, take-home becomes $81,710 in Louisiana and $80,710 in Mississippi \u2014 a difference of $1,000. The gap remains similar regardless of filing status.
Should You Move from Mississippi to Louisiana?
On paper, moving from Mississippi to Louisiana would save $1,000/year on a $100K salary, or $5,000 over 5 years. But relocation involves real costs: moving expenses, potentially buying/selling a home, changing jobs, and adjusting to a new community.
At $1,000/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.