Oklahoma vs South Carolina:
Take-Home Pay Comparison
Side-by-side tax comparison between Oklahoma (4.5% top rate, graduated) 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: Oklahoma vs South Carolina
Oklahoma uses a graduated income tax (0.25-4.5%) while South Carolina has a graduated system (0-3-6%). On a $100K salary, Oklahoma takes $4,044 in state and local taxes compared to South Carolina’s $4,392 \u2014 a difference of $349.
Both states use graduated brackets, but South Carolina’s top rate of 6% is higher than Oklahoma’s 4.5%.
Take-Home at Every Salary Level
Oklahoma wins at 6 out of 10 salary levels tested. The advantage exists but is modest across the income spectrum.
| Salary | Oklahoma | South Carolina | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40K | $32,976 | $33,528 | +$551 | South Carolina |
| $50K | $40,561 | $40,963 | +$401 | South Carolina |
| $60K | $48,146 | $48,398 | +$251 | South Carolina |
| $75K | $58,619 | $58,645 | +$26 | South Carolina |
| $100K | $75,081 | $74,733 | −$349 | Oklahoma |
| $120K | $88,251 | $87,603 | −$649 | Oklahoma |
| $150K | $107,457 | $106,359 | −$1,099 | Oklahoma |
| $200K | $140,343 | $138,495 | −$1,849 | Oklahoma |
| $250K | $172,470 | $169,872 | −$2,599 | Oklahoma |
| $300K | $202,285 | $198,936 | −$3,349 | Oklahoma |
Cost of Living: Oklahoma (87) vs South Carolina (92)
Take-home pay only tells part of the story. Oklahoma has a cost of living index of 87 while South Carolina is at 92 (national average = 100).
With similar costs of living (87 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: $86,300 in Oklahoma 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 $81,106 in Oklahoma and $81,284 in South Carolina \u2014 a difference of $178. The gap narrows under married filing, as the wider brackets reduce the tax bite in both states.
Should You Move from South Carolina to Oklahoma?
On paper, moving from South Carolina to Oklahoma would save $349/year on a $100K salary, or $1,743 over 5 years. But relocation involves real costs: moving expenses, potentially buying/selling a home, changing jobs, and adjusting to a new community.
At $349/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.