South Carolina vs Tennessee:
Take-Home Pay Comparison
Side-by-side tax comparison between South Carolina (6% top rate, graduated) and Tennessee (no income tax). See which state lets you keep more at every salary level, and how cost of living changes the picture.
Tax Structure: South Carolina vs Tennessee
Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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
Tennessee wins at 10 out of 10 salary levels tested. The advantage is consistent and significant across the income spectrum.
| Salary | South Carolina | Tennessee | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40K | $32,760 | $34,320 | +$1,560 | Tennessee |
| $50K | $40,405 | $42,355 | +$1,950 | Tennessee |
| $60K | $48,050 | $50,390 | +$2,340 | Tennessee |
| $75K | $58,613 | $61,538 | +$2,925 | Tennessee |
| $100K | $75,225 | $79,125 | +$3,900 | Tennessee |
| $120K | $88,515 | $93,195 | +$4,680 | Tennessee |
| $150K | $107,901 | $113,751 | +$5,850 | Tennessee |
| $200K | $141,087 | $148,887 | +$7,800 | Tennessee |
| $250K | $173,514 | $183,264 | +$9,750 | Tennessee |
| $300K | $203,629 | $215,329 | +$11,700 | Tennessee |
Cost of Living: South Carolina (92) vs Tennessee (90)
Take-home pay only tells part of the story. South Carolina has a cost of living index of 92 while Tennessee is at 90 (national average = 100).
With similar costs of living (92 vs 90), 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 $87,917 in Tennessee.
Married Filing Jointly: How It Changes the Comparison
For a single earner at $100K filing jointly, take-home becomes $80,810 in South Carolina and $84,710 in Tennessee \u2014 a difference of $3,900. The gap remains similar regardless of filing status.
Should You Move from South Carolina to Tennessee?
On paper, moving from South Carolina to Tennessee 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.