North Carolina vs South Carolina:
Take-Home Pay Comparison
Side-by-side tax comparison between North Carolina (3.99% 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: North Carolina vs South Carolina
North Carolina uses a flat income tax (3.99% flat) while South Carolina has a graduated system (0-3-6%). On a $100K salary, North Carolina takes $3,481 in state and local taxes compared to South Carolina’s $4,392 \u2014 a difference of $911.
Because North Carolina has flat brackets while South Carolina is graduated, the gap between them changes at different income levels. North Carolina’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
North Carolina wins at 8 out of 10 salary levels tested. The advantage exists but is modest across the income spectrum.
| Salary | North Carolina | South Carolina | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40K | $33,233 | $33,528 | +$295 | South Carolina |
| $50K | $40,869 | $40,963 | +$94 | South Carolina |
| $60K | $48,505 | $48,398 | −$107 | North Carolina |
| $75K | $59,054 | $58,645 | −$409 | North Carolina |
| $100K | $75,644 | $74,733 | −$911 | North Carolina |
| $120K | $88,916 | $87,603 | −$1,313 | North Carolina |
| $150K | $108,275 | $106,359 | −$1,916 | North Carolina |
| $200K | $141,416 | $138,495 | −$2,921 | North Carolina |
| $250K | $173,798 | $169,872 | −$3,926 | North Carolina |
| $300K | $203,867 | $198,936 | −$4,931 | North Carolina |
Cost of Living: North Carolina (95) vs South Carolina (92)
Take-home pay only tells part of the story. North Carolina has a cost of living index of 95 while South Carolina is at 92 (national average = 100).
With similar costs of living (95 vs 92), the tax difference is the primary factor. What you see in raw take-home pay is essentially what you get in purchasing power: $79,625 in North Carolina vs $81,231 in South Carolina.
Married Filing Jointly: How It Changes the Comparison
For a single earner at $100K filing jointly, take-home becomes $81,737 in North Carolina and $81,284 in South Carolina \u2014 a difference of $454. The gap narrows under married filing, as the wider brackets reduce the tax bite in both states.
Should You Move from South Carolina to North Carolina?
On paper, moving from South Carolina to North Carolina would save $911/year on a $100K salary, or $4,555 over 5 years. But relocation involves real costs: moving expenses, potentially buying/selling a home, changing jobs, and adjusting to a new community.
At $911/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.