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Tax year 2026 · state vs state

Delaware vs South Carolina Income Tax Comparison (2026)

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $266 less state income tax a year in South Carolina than in Delaware, which is about $22 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $716 in favor of South Carolina.

Delaware: up to 6.6%South Carolina: up to 6%Updated October 10, 2026

Compare Delaware 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.

1South Carolina

Lowest

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

2Delaware

22.7%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$3,609
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$17,017
Net income (annual)
$57,984

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💰 Monthly breakdown

Your take-home pay, spread across the year

South Carolina

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,396
Monthly take-home$4,854

Delaware

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,418
Monthly take-home$4,832

Estimates use 2026 federal and state rates, the standard deduction for your filing status and no local taxes. Rankings use state income tax only.

Delaware vs South Carolina: how the two systems differ

DelawareSouth Carolina
Wage income taxProgressive, 6 bracketsProgressive, 2 brackets
Top rate6.6%6%
Lowest rate2.2%3%
Deductions and credits (single)$3,250 standard deduction, $110 personal credit$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.

IncomeDE state taxSC state taxDifferenceDE take-homeSC take-home
$30,000$988$643$345 less in South Carolina$25,297$25,642
$40,000$1,543$1,243$300 less in South Carolina$32,777$33,077
$50,000$2,098$1,843$255 less in South Carolina$40,257$40,512
$60,000$2,653$2,443$210 less in South Carolina$47,737$47,947
$75,000$3,609$3,343$266 less in South Carolina$57,984$58,250
$100,000$5,259$4,843$416 less in South Carolina$73,921$74,337
$150,000$8,559$7,843$716 less in South Carolina$105,232$105,948
$250,000$15,159$13,843$1,316 less in South Carolina$168,023$169,339

Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.

Married filing jointly

IncomeDE state taxSC state taxDifferenceDE take-homeSC take-home
$75,000$3,285$2,842$443 less in South Carolina$61,338$61,781
$100,000$4,935$4,342$593 less in South Carolina$79,776$80,368
$150,000$8,235$7,342$893 less in South Carolina$114,951$115,843
$250,000$14,835$13,342$1,493 less in South Carolina$182,634$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?

Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, South Carolina charges the same or less state income tax than Delaware for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.

Rates side by side

Delaware (single filers)

2.2%$2,001 to $5,000
3.9%$5,001 to $10,000
4.8%$10,001 to $20,000
5.2%$20,001 to $25,000
5.55%$25,001 to $60,000
6.6%Over $60,000

South Carolina (single filers)

3%$3,641 to $18,230
6%Over $18,230

Full details for each state: Delaware income tax calculator and South Carolina income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.

Delaware vs South Carolina FAQ

Which has lower income tax, Delaware or South Carolina?+

South Carolina is lower at $75,000: $3,343 of state income tax versus $3,609 in Delaware. At $150,000 it is $8,559 in Delaware and $7,843 in South Carolina. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, South Carolina charges the same or less state income tax than Delaware for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.

How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Delaware versus South Carolina?+

A single filer keeping $73,921 a year in Delaware would keep $74,337 in South Carolina after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $416 a year, or $35 a month.

How do the Delaware and South Carolina income tax systems differ?+

Delaware uses progressive rates up to 6.6%; 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 Delaware 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 Delaware 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

Last checked October 10, 2026. Confirm with your state tax agency before filing.

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Estimates for education only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Not a substitute for a tax professional or your state revenue department.