Side-by-side tax comparison between South Carolina (6% top rate, graduated) and South Dakota (no income tax). See which state lets you keep more at every salary level, and how cost of living changes the picture.
South Dakota 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 South Dakota 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.
South Dakota wins at 10 out of 10 salary levels tested. The advantage is consistent and significant across the income spectrum.
| Salary | South Carolina | South Dakota | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40K | $32,760 | $34,320 | +$1,560 | South Dakota |
| $50K | $40,405 | $42,355 | +$1,950 | South Dakota |
| $60K | $48,050 | $50,390 | +$2,340 | South Dakota |
| $75K | $58,613 | $61,538 | +$2,925 | South Dakota |
| $100K | $75,225 | $79,125 | +$3,900 | South Dakota |
| $120K | $88,515 | $93,195 | +$4,680 | South Dakota |
| $150K | $107,901 | $113,751 | +$5,850 | South Dakota |
| $200K | $141,087 | $148,887 | +$7,800 | South Dakota |
| $250K | $173,514 | $183,264 | +$9,750 | South Dakota |
| $300K | $203,629 | $215,329 | +$11,700 | South Dakota |
Take-home pay only tells part of the story. South Carolina has a cost of living index of 92 while South Dakota is at 92 (national average = 100).
With similar costs of living (92 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: $81,766 in South Carolina vs $86,005 in South Dakota.
For a single earner at $100K filing jointly, take-home becomes $80,810 in South Carolina and $84,710 in South Dakota \u2014 a difference of $3,900. The gap remains similar regardless of filing status.
On paper, moving from South Carolina to South Dakota 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.