Mississippi vs South Carolina:
Take-Home Pay Comparison
Side-by-side tax comparison between Mississippi (4% top rate, flat) 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: Mississippi vs South Carolina
Mississippi uses a flat income tax (4% flat) while South Carolina has a graduated system (0-3-6%). On a $100K salary, Mississippi takes $3,268 in state and local taxes compared to South Carolina’s $4,392 \u2014 a difference of $1,124.
Because Mississippi has flat brackets while South Carolina is graduated, the gap between them changes at different income levels. Mississippi’s flat rate is predictable, while South Carolina’s graduated brackets may benefit lower earners but penalize higher incomes.
Take-Home at Every Salary Level
Mississippi wins at 9 out of 10 salary levels tested. The advantage exists but is modest across the income spectrum.
| Salary | Mississippi | South Carolina | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40K | $33,452 | $33,528 | +$76 | South Carolina |
| $50K | $41,087 | $40,963 | −$124 | Mississippi |
| $60K | $48,722 | $48,398 | −$324 | Mississippi |
| $75K | $59,270 | $58,645 | −$624 | Mississippi |
| $100K | $75,857 | $74,733 | −$1,124 | Mississippi |
| $120K | $89,127 | $87,603 | −$1,524 | Mississippi |
| $150K | $108,483 | $106,359 | −$2,124 | Mississippi |
| $200K | $141,619 | $138,495 | −$3,124 | Mississippi |
| $250K | $173,996 | $169,872 | −$4,124 | Mississippi |
| $300K | $204,061 | $198,936 | −$5,124 | Mississippi |
Cost of Living: Mississippi (83) vs South Carolina (92)
Take-home pay only tells part of the story. Mississippi has a cost of living index of 83 while South Carolina is at 92 (national average = 100).
The cost of living gap is moderate. After adjustment, $100K has purchasing power of $91,394 in Mississippi vs $81,231 in South Carolina. The take-home winner also wins on purchasing power.
Married Filing Jointly: How It Changes the Comparison
For a single earner at $100K filing jointly, take-home becomes $81,774 in Mississippi and $81,284 in South Carolina \u2014 a difference of $490. The gap narrows under married filing, as the wider brackets reduce the tax bite in both states.
Should You Move from South Carolina to Mississippi?
On paper, moving from South Carolina to Mississippi would save $1,124/year on a $100K salary, or $5,622 over 5 years. But relocation involves real costs: moving expenses, potentially buying/selling a home, changing jobs, and adjusting to a new community.
At $1,124/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.