Does Rhode Island have lower taxes than Connecticut?

On wages alone, Rhode Island is lower (5.99% vs 6.00%). Use the calculator above to compare your specific situation.

Which state has the lowest overall tax burden?

Among the 50 states, Alaska, Wyoming, South Dakota, Florida, Tennessee, Texas, Nevada, Washington, and New Hampshire consistently rank lowest because they have no broad personal income tax. Property and sales taxes can still be material — Texas, for example, has high property tax.

Does Connecticut tax retirement income differently than Rhode Island?

Yes — retirement treatment varies. Some states fully exempt Social Security, pensions, or both. See each state's guide for current rules.

Does moving partway through the year split my taxes?

Yes. You will file part-year resident returns in both states. Most states tax income earned while a resident plus state-sourced income while a non-resident.

How accurate is this comparison?

It uses 2026 IRS federal brackets and each state's average effective rate. Local income taxes, special surtaxes, and personal credits can shift the result by several thousand dollars.

Are property and sales tax included in the calculator?

The calculator focuses on income and capital-gains tax. Use the property tax calculator and the sales-tax rows above for those components.

Connecticut vs Rhode Island Taxes (2026)

Side-by-side comparison of income tax, property tax, sales tax, capital gains, and retirement treatment between Connecticut and Rhode Island for tax year 2026. Use the calculator below to estimate how much you would save (or pay) after relocating.

Tax	Connecticut	Rhode Island
State income tax (effective)	6.00%	5.99%
Long-term capital gains	6.90%	5.99%
Property tax (effective)	2.14%	1.53%
Combined sales tax	6.35%	7.00%
Retirement income	partial-exempt	partial-exempt
Income system	progressive	progressive

Tax savings calculator

Filing status

Annual income

Pre-tax retirement

Long-term capital gains

Estimated 2026 burden

Connecticut total tax

$21,349

Rhode Island total tax

$21,294

Connecticut state tax

$5,979

Rhode Island state tax

$5,924

Difference

−$55

Rhode Island saves you money

As % of income

0.05%

Federal tax is identical in both columns and excluded from the difference. Numbers use 2026 IRS brackets, state effective rates, and the 3.8% NIIT where applicable.

Relocation analysis

Moving from Connecticut to Rhode Island could save about $55 per year on this profile — roughly 0.05% of gross income.

Property tax difference on a $400k home: $2,440/yr.
Sales tax difference on $50k of taxable spending: $325/yr.
Capital gains difference per $10k gain: $91.

Key differences

Connecticut: 7.5% corporate tax; estate tax up to 12%.
Rhode Island: Top 5.99% bracket; partial SS exclusion.
Income system: Connecticut is progressive, Rhode Island is progressive.
Retirement: Connecticut — partial exempt; Rhode Island — partial exempt.

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Comparison FAQs

It depends on income mix. Rhode Island has an effective income rate of 5.99% vs Connecticut's 6.00%. Property tax (2.14% vs 1.53%) and sales tax can swing the answer.

Related resources

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