1South Carolina
Lowest22.3%
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
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Hawaii vs South Carolina Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $827 less state income tax a year in South Carolina than in Hawaii, which is about $69 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $2,085 in favor of South Carolina.
Hawaii: up to 11%South Carolina: up to 6%Updated October 10, 2026
Compare Hawaii 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.
2Hawaii
23.4%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $4,170
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $17,577
- Net income (annual)
- $57,423
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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
Hawaii
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,465
Monthly take-home$4,785
Estimates use 2026 federal and state rates, the standard deduction for your filing status and no local taxes. Rankings use state income tax only.
Hawaii vs South Carolina: how the two systems differ
| Hawaii | South Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Progressive, 12 brackets | Progressive, 2 brackets |
| Top rate | 11% | 6% |
| Lowest rate | 1.4% | 3% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $4,400 standard deduction, $1,144 personal exemption | $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 | HI state tax | SC state tax | Difference | HI take-home | SC take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $890 | $643 | $247 less in South Carolina | $25,395 | $25,642 |
| $40,000 | $1,570 | $1,243 | $327 less in South Carolina | $32,750 | $33,077 |
| $50,000 | $2,284 | $1,843 | $441 less in South Carolina | $40,071 | $40,512 |
| $60,000 | $3,030 | $2,443 | $587 less in South Carolina | $47,360 | $47,947 |
| $75,000 | $4,170 | $3,343 | $827 less in South Carolina | $57,423 | $58,250 |
| $100,000 | $6,070 | $4,843 | $1,227 less in South Carolina | $73,110 | $74,337 |
| $150,000 | $9,928 | $7,843 | $2,085 less in South Carolina | $103,863 | $105,948 |
| $250,000 | $18,217 | $13,843 | $4,374 less in South Carolina | $164,965 | $169,339 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
Married filing jointly
| Income | HI state tax | SC state tax | Difference | HI take-home | SC take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $2,800 | $2,842 | $41 less in Hawaii | $61,822 | $61,781 |
| $100,000 | $4,568 | $4,342 | $226 less in South Carolina | $80,142 | $80,368 |
| $150,000 | $8,340 | $7,342 | $998 less in South Carolina | $114,845 | $115,843 |
| $250,000 | $15,940 | $13,342 | $2,598 less in South Carolina | $181,528 | $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 Hawaii for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.
Rates side by side
Hawaii (single filers)
| 1.4% | Up to $9,600 |
| 3.2% | $9,601 to $14,400 |
| 5.5% | $14,401 to $19,200 |
| 6.4% | $19,201 to $24,000 |
| 6.8% | $24,001 to $36,000 |
| 7.2% | $36,001 to $48,000 |
| 7.6% | $48,001 to $125,000 |
| 7.9% | $125,001 to $175,000 |
| 8.25% | $175,001 to $225,000 |
| 9% | $225,001 to $275,000 |
| 10% | $275,001 to $325,000 |
| 11% | Over $325,000 |
South Carolina (single filers)
| 3% | $3,641 to $18,230 |
| 6% | Over $18,230 |
Full details for each state: Hawaii income tax calculator and South Carolina income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Hawaii vs South Carolina FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Hawaii or South Carolina?+
South Carolina is lower at $75,000: $3,343 of state income tax versus $4,170 in Hawaii. At $150,000 it is $9,928 in Hawaii 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 Hawaii for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Hawaii versus South Carolina?+
A single filer keeping $73,110 a year in Hawaii would keep $74,337 in South Carolina after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $1,227 a year, or $102 a month.
How do the Hawaii and South Carolina income tax systems differ?+
Hawaii uses progressive rates up to 11%; 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 Hawaii 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 Hawaii 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.
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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.