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 $2,625 in state and local taxes compared to Mississippi’s $3,268 \u2014 a difference of $643.
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 | $33,495 | $33,452 | −$43 | Louisiana |
| $50K | $41,230 | $41,087 | −$143 | Louisiana |
| $60K | $48,965 | $48,722 | −$243 | Louisiana |
| $75K | $59,663 | $59,270 | −$393 | Louisiana |
| $100K | $76,500 | $75,857 | −$643 | Louisiana |
| $120K | $89,970 | $89,127 | −$843 | Louisiana |
| $150K | $109,626 | $108,483 | −$1,143 | Louisiana |
| $200K | $143,262 | $141,619 | −$1,643 | Louisiana |
| $250K | $176,139 | $173,996 | −$2,143 | Louisiana |
| $300K | $206,704 | $204,061 | −$2,643 | 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 $84,066 in Louisiana vs $91,394 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 $82,460 in Louisiana and $81,774 in Mississippi \u2014 a difference of $686. The gap widens under married filing, making the state choice even more impactful for married filers.
Should You Move from Mississippi to Louisiana?
On paper, moving from Mississippi to Louisiana would save $643/year on a $100K salary, or $3,215 over 5 years. But relocation involves real costs: moving expenses, potentially buying/selling a home, changing jobs, and adjusting to a new community.
At $643/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.