1South Dakota
Lowest17.9%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $0
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $13,408
- Net income (annual)
- $61,593
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Delaware vs South Dakota Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $3,609 less state income tax a year in South Dakota than in Delaware, which is about $301 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $8,559 in favor of South Dakota.
Delaware: up to 6.6%South Dakota: no state taxUpdated October 10, 2026
Compare Delaware and South Dakota 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.
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 Dakota
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,117
Monthly take-home$5,133
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 Dakota: how the two systems differ
| Delaware | South Dakota | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Progressive, 6 brackets | No tax on wages |
| Top rate | 6.6% | 0% |
| Lowest rate | 2.2% | 0% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $3,250 standard deduction, $110 personal credit | Not applicable |
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 | DE state tax | SD state tax | Difference | DE take-home | SD take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $988 | $0 | $988 less in South Dakota | $25,297 | $26,285 |
| $40,000 | $1,543 | $0 | $1,543 less in South Dakota | $32,777 | $34,320 |
| $50,000 | $2,098 | $0 | $2,098 less in South Dakota | $40,257 | $42,355 |
| $60,000 | $2,653 | $0 | $2,653 less in South Dakota | $47,737 | $50,390 |
| $75,000 | $3,609 | $0 | $3,609 less in South Dakota | $57,984 | $61,593 |
| $100,000 | $5,259 | $0 | $5,259 less in South Dakota | $73,921 | $79,180 |
| $150,000 | $8,559 | $0 | $8,559 less in South Dakota | $105,232 | $113,791 |
| $250,000 | $15,159 | $0 | $15,159 less in South Dakota | $168,023 | $183,182 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
Married filing jointly
| Income | DE state tax | SD state tax | Difference | DE take-home | SD take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $3,285 | $0 | $3,285 less in South Dakota | $61,338 | $64,623 |
| $100,000 | $4,935 | $0 | $4,935 less in South Dakota | $79,776 | $84,710 |
| $150,000 | $8,235 | $0 | $8,235 less in South Dakota | $114,951 | $123,185 |
| $250,000 | $14,835 | $0 | $14,835 less in South Dakota | $182,634 | $197,468 |
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 Dakota 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 Dakota (single filers)
South Dakota has no state personal income tax. State revenue comes mainly from sales tax.
- Delaware: Wilmington also levies a 1.25% city wage tax on people who work there.
Full details for each state: Delaware income tax calculator and South Dakota income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Delaware vs South Dakota FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Delaware or South Dakota?+
South Dakota is lower at $75,000: $0 of state income tax versus $3,609 in Delaware. At $150,000 it is $8,559 in Delaware and $0 in South Dakota. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, South Dakota 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 Dakota?+
A single filer keeping $73,921 a year in Delaware would keep $79,180 in South Dakota after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $5,259 a year, or $438 a month.
How do the Delaware and South Dakota income tax systems differ?+
Delaware uses progressive rates up to 6.6%; South Dakota has no tax on wages. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this Delaware vs South Dakota 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 Dakota 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.
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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.