Florida vs South Carolina:
Take-Home Pay Comparison
Side-by-side tax comparison between Florida (no income tax) and South Carolina (6% top rate, graduated). See which state lets you keep more at every salary level, and how cost of living changes the picture.
Tax Structure: Florida vs South Carolina
Florida has no state income tax, while South Carolina uses a graduated system with rates of 0-3-6%. On a $100K salary, this creates a state tax difference of $3,900/year that Florida residents simply don’t pay.
South Carolina’s graduated brackets mean the gap between these two states widens at higher salaries. At $200K, the state tax difference grows to $7,800/year, while at $50K it’s only $1,950.
Take-Home at Every Salary Level
Florida wins at 10 out of 10 salary levels tested. The advantage is consistent and significant across the income spectrum.
| Salary | Florida | South Carolina | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40K | $34,320 | $32,760 | −$1,560 | Florida |
| $50K | $42,355 | $40,405 | −$1,950 | Florida |
| $60K | $50,390 | $48,050 | −$2,340 | Florida |
| $75K | $61,538 | $58,613 | −$2,925 | Florida |
| $100K | $79,125 | $75,225 | −$3,900 | Florida |
| $120K | $93,195 | $88,515 | −$4,680 | Florida |
| $150K | $113,751 | $107,901 | −$5,850 | Florida |
| $200K | $148,887 | $141,087 | −$7,800 | Florida |
| $250K | $183,264 | $173,514 | −$9,750 | Florida |
| $300K | $215,329 | $203,629 | −$11,700 | Florida |
Cost of Living: Florida (100) vs South Carolina (92)
Take-home pay only tells part of the story. Florida has a cost of living index of 100 while South Carolina is at 92 (national average = 100).
The cost of living gap is moderate. After adjustment, $100K has purchasing power of $79,125 in Florida vs $81,766 in South Carolina. However, South Carolina actually provides better purchasing power despite Florida’s take-home advantage.
Married Filing Jointly: How It Changes the Comparison
For a single earner at $100K filing jointly, take-home becomes $84,710 in Florida and $80,810 in South Carolina \u2014 a difference of $3,900. The gap remains similar regardless of filing status.
Should You Move from South Carolina to Florida?
On paper, moving from South Carolina to Florida would save $3,900/year on a $100K salary, or $19,500 over 5 years. But relocation involves real costs: moving expenses, potentially buying/selling a home, changing jobs, and adjusting to a new community.
The $3,900/year savings is meaningful but probably not enough to justify a move on its own. However, combined with other factors like career growth, lifestyle preferences, or family proximity, it could tip the scale.