1Colorado
Lowest21.3%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,592
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $15,999
- Net income (annual)
- $59,001
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Colorado vs South Carolina Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $751 less state income tax a year in Colorado than in South Carolina, which is about $63 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $1,951 in favor of Colorado.
Colorado: 4.4% flatSouth Carolina: up to 6%Updated October 10, 2026
Compare Colorado and South Carolina for your income
Estimate for education only, not tax advice. 2026 federal and state rules, standard deductions, no local taxes. How we calculate.
State comparison
Comparing 2 states, sorted by lowest overall tax rate.
2South Carolina
22.3%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $3,343
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $16,750
- Net income (annual)
- $58,250
Advanced analysis (optional)
Choose which extra insights you would like to see.
💰 Monthly breakdown
Your take-home pay, spread across the year
Colorado
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,333
Monthly take-home$4,917
South Carolina
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,396
Monthly take-home$4,854
Estimates use 2026 federal and state rates, the standard deduction for your filing status and no local taxes. Rankings use state income tax only.
Colorado vs South Carolina: how the two systems differ
| Colorado | South Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Flat 4.4% | Progressive, 2 brackets |
| Top rate | 4.4% | 6% |
| Lowest rate | 4.4% | 3% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $16,100 standard deduction | $8,350 standard deduction |
State income tax and take-home pay at every salary
The same salary can leave you with different take-home pay depending on the state. This table applies each state’s 2026 rules to a single filer with no pre-tax contributions.
| Income | CO state tax | SC state tax | Difference | CO take-home | SC take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $612 | $643 | $31 less in Colorado | $25,673 | $25,642 |
| $40,000 | $1,052 | $1,243 | $191 less in Colorado | $33,268 | $33,077 |
| $50,000 | $1,492 | $1,843 | $351 less in Colorado | $40,863 | $40,512 |
| $60,000 | $1,932 | $2,443 | $511 less in Colorado | $48,458 | $47,947 |
| $75,000 | $2,592 | $3,343 | $751 less in Colorado | $59,001 | $58,250 |
| $100,000 | $3,692 | $4,843 | $1,151 less in Colorado | $75,488 | $74,337 |
| $150,000 | $5,892 | $7,843 | $1,951 less in Colorado | $107,899 | $105,948 |
| $250,000 | $10,292 | $13,843 | $3,551 less in Colorado | $172,890 | $169,339 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
Married filing jointly
| Income | CO state tax | SC state tax | Difference | CO take-home | SC take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $1,883 | $2,842 | $959 less in Colorado | $62,739 | $61,781 |
| $100,000 | $2,983 | $4,342 | $1,359 less in Colorado | $81,727 | $80,368 |
| $150,000 | $5,183 | $7,342 | $2,159 less in Colorado | $118,002 | $115,843 |
| $250,000 | $9,583 | $13,342 | $3,759 less in Colorado | $187,885 | $184,126 |
Married filing jointly, 2026, federal standard deduction. Uses each state's joint brackets where they differ.
Does the lower-tax state change as income rises?
For a single filer, Colorado and South Carolina charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $12,500 of income. Above that, Colorado is the lower-tax state. The order flips again near $25,000, so the better state depends on where your income falls.
Rates side by side
Colorado (single filers)
| 4.4% | Over $0 |
South Carolina (single filers)
| 3% | $3,641 to $18,230 |
| 6% | Over $18,230 |
Full details for each state: Colorado income tax calculator and South Carolina income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Colorado vs South Carolina FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Colorado or South Carolina?+
Colorado is lower at $75,000: $2,592 of state income tax versus $3,343 in South Carolina. At $150,000 it is $5,892 in Colorado and $7,843 in South Carolina. For a single filer, Colorado and South Carolina charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $12,500 of income. Above that, Colorado is the lower-tax state. The order flips again near $25,000, so the better state depends on where your income falls.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Colorado versus South Carolina?+
A single filer keeping $75,488 a year in Colorado would keep $74,337 in South Carolina after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $1,151 a year, or $96 a month.
How do the Colorado and South Carolina income tax systems differ?+
Colorado uses a flat 4.4% rate; South Carolina uses progressive rates up to 6%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this Colorado vs South Carolina comparison?+
No. It covers federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and state income tax only. City, county, sales and property taxes are not included, and they can change the real cost of living in each state.
Should I move from Colorado to South Carolina to save on taxes?+
State income tax is one cost among many. Property and sales taxes, housing, insurance and wages also differ, and you may owe tax to both states in the year you move. Use this comparison as one input and confirm details with a tax professional.
Sources
- Tax Foundation: 2026 state individual income tax rates and brackets
- IRS: Tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2026
Last checked October 10, 2026. Confirm with your state tax agency before filing.
More state comparisons
- Colorado vs Texas
- California vs Colorado
- Colorado vs Florida
- Colorado vs New York
- South Carolina vs Texas
- California vs South Carolina
- Florida vs South Carolina
- New York vs South Carolina
- All state comparisons →
Estimates for education only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Not a substitute for a tax professional or your state revenue department.