1Kentucky
Lowest21.2%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,507
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $15,915
- Net income (annual)
- $59,085
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Kentucky vs South Carolina Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $835 less state income tax a year in Kentucky than in South Carolina, which is about $70 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $2,710 in favor of Kentucky.
Kentucky: 3.5% flatSouth Carolina: up to 6%Updated October 10, 2026
Compare Kentucky 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)
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💰 Monthly breakdown
Your take-home pay, spread across the year
Kentucky
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,326
Monthly take-home$4,924
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.
Kentucky vs South Carolina: how the two systems differ
| Kentucky | South Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Flat 3.5% | Progressive, 2 brackets |
| Top rate | 3.5% | 6% |
| Lowest rate | 3.5% | 3% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $3,360 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 | KY state tax | SC state tax | Difference | KY take-home | SC take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $932 | $643 | $290 less in South Carolina | $25,353 | $25,642 |
| $40,000 | $1,282 | $1,243 | $40 less in South Carolina | $33,038 | $33,077 |
| $50,000 | $1,632 | $1,843 | $211 less in Kentucky | $40,723 | $40,512 |
| $60,000 | $1,982 | $2,443 | $460 less in Kentucky | $48,408 | $47,947 |
| $75,000 | $2,507 | $3,343 | $835 less in Kentucky | $59,085 | $58,250 |
| $100,000 | $3,382 | $4,843 | $1,460 less in Kentucky | $75,798 | $74,337 |
| $150,000 | $5,132 | $7,843 | $2,710 less in Kentucky | $108,659 | $105,948 |
| $250,000 | $8,632 | $13,843 | $5,210 less in Kentucky | $174,550 | $169,339 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
Married filing jointly
| Income | KY state tax | SC state tax | Difference | KY take-home | SC take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $2,507 | $2,842 | $334 less in Kentucky | $62,115 | $61,781 |
| $100,000 | $3,382 | $4,342 | $959 less in Kentucky | $81,328 | $80,368 |
| $150,000 | $5,132 | $7,342 | $2,209 less in Kentucky | $118,053 | $115,843 |
| $250,000 | $8,632 | $13,342 | $4,709 less in Kentucky | $188,836 | $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, South Carolina is the lower-tax state up to roughly $42,500 of income, and Kentucky becomes the lower-tax state above that.
Rates side by side
Kentucky (single filers)
| 3.5% | Over $0 |
South Carolina (single filers)
| 3% | $3,641 to $18,230 |
| 6% | Over $18,230 |
- Kentucky: Many Kentucky cities and counties also levy local occupational license taxes that are not included here.
Full details for each state: Kentucky income tax calculator and South Carolina income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Kentucky vs South Carolina FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Kentucky or South Carolina?+
Kentucky is lower at $75,000: $2,507 of state income tax versus $3,343 in South Carolina. At $150,000 it is $5,132 in Kentucky and $7,843 in South Carolina. For a single filer, South Carolina is the lower-tax state up to roughly $42,500 of income, and Kentucky becomes the lower-tax state above that.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Kentucky versus South Carolina?+
A single filer keeping $75,798 a year in Kentucky would keep $74,337 in South Carolina after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $1,461 a year, or $122 a month.
How do the Kentucky and South Carolina income tax systems differ?+
Kentucky uses a flat 3.5% 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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.