North Carolina vs South Carolina: Take-Home Pay Compared
On a $100,000 salary you take home $75,699 in North Carolina and $74,936 in South Carolina. That's $763 less per year ($64 a month) after moving to South Carolina.
| North Carolina | South Carolina | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | $13,170 | $13,170 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare | $7,650 | $7,650 | $0 |
| State income tax | $3,481 | $4,244 | $763 |
| State payroll & local tax | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Take-home pay / year | $75,699 | $74,936 | -$763 |
| Take-home / month | $6,308 | $6,245 | -$64 |
| Total tax rate | 24.3% | 25.1% | 0.8% |
To match your North Carolina take-home pay, you would need about $101,200 in South Carolina.
North Carolina vs South Carolina at every salary
Single filer, 2026 tax year, no pre-tax deductions. Difference is South Carolina minus North Carolina.
| Salary | North Carolina | South Carolina | Yearly difference | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $33,233 | $33,823 | $590 | $49 |
| $50,000 | $40,869 | $41,355 | $487 | $41 |
| $60,000 | $48,505 | $48,727 | $223 | $19 |
| $75,000 | $59,109 | $58,935 | -$174 | -$14 |
| $100,000 | $75,699 | $74,936 | -$763 | -$64 |
| $125,000 | $92,225 | $91,157 | -$1,068 | -$89 |
| $150,000 | $108,315 | $106,942 | -$1,373 | -$114 |
| $200,000 | $141,456 | $139,473 | -$1,983 | -$165 |
| $250,000 | $173,716 | $171,123 | -$2,593 | -$216 |
Why the difference?
Federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare are identical in both states, so the gap comes entirely from state-level taxes. North Carolina has a flat 3.99% income tax, while South Carolina has income tax rates from 1.99% to 5.21%.
Income tax is only part of the picture: states without an income tax often rely more on sales and property taxes, and housing costs vary far more than taxes do. Use this comparison for your paycheck, then weigh it against rent or mortgage costs in the cities you are considering.
Commuting across the line instead of moving? Read how taxes work when you live in one state and work in another. See the full breakdowns in the North Carolina paycheck calculator and the South Carolina paycheck calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is South Carolina cheaper than North Carolina for taxes?
For wage earners, North Carolina takes less of your paycheck. On a $100,000 salary a single filer keeps $763 more per year in North Carolina than in South Carolina ($64 per month). North Carolina has a flat 3.99% income tax; South Carolina has income tax rates from 1.99% to 5.21%.
How much is $100,000 in North Carolina worth in South Carolina?
To take home the same $75,699 you net on $100,000 in North Carolina, you would need a salary of about $101,200 in South Carolina.
How much will I save moving from North Carolina to South Carolina?
In income and payroll taxes, about -$174 per year at $75,000, -$763 at $100,000, and -$1,373 at $150,000 (negative numbers mean you pay more in South Carolina). Sales, property, and housing costs are not included.