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Tax year 2026 · state vs state

Mississippi vs South Carolina Income Tax Comparison (2026)

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $1,075 less state income tax a year in Mississippi than in South Carolina, which is about $90 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $2,575 in favor of Mississippi.

Mississippi: 4% flatSouth Carolina: up to 6%Updated October 10, 2026

Compare Mississippi 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.

1Mississippi

Lowest

20.9%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$2,268
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$15,676
Net income (annual)
$59,325

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

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💰 Monthly breakdown

Your take-home pay, spread across the year

Mississippi

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,306
Monthly take-home$4,944

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.

Mississippi vs South Carolina: how the two systems differ

MississippiSouth Carolina
Wage income taxFlat 4%Progressive, 2 brackets
Top rate4%6%
Lowest rate4%3%
Deductions and credits (single)$2,300 standard deduction, $6,000 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.

IncomeMS state taxSC state taxDifferenceMS take-homeSC take-home
$30,000$468$643$175 less in Mississippi$25,817$25,642
$40,000$868$1,243$375 less in Mississippi$33,452$33,077
$50,000$1,268$1,843$575 less in Mississippi$41,087$40,512
$60,000$1,668$2,443$775 less in Mississippi$48,722$47,947
$75,000$2,268$3,343$1,075 less in Mississippi$59,325$58,250
$100,000$3,268$4,843$1,575 less in Mississippi$75,912$74,337
$150,000$5,268$7,843$2,575 less in Mississippi$108,523$105,948
$250,000$9,268$13,843$4,575 less in Mississippi$173,914$169,339

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

Married filing jointly

IncomeMS state taxSC state taxDifferenceMS take-homeSC take-home
$75,000$1,936$2,842$906 less in Mississippi$62,687$61,781
$100,000$2,936$4,342$1,406 less in Mississippi$81,774$80,368
$150,000$4,936$7,342$2,406 less in Mississippi$118,249$115,843
$250,000$8,936$13,342$4,406 less in Mississippi$188,532$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, Mississippi and South Carolina charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $12,500 of income. Above that, Mississippi is the lower-tax state.

Rates side by side

Mississippi (single filers)

4%Over $10,000

South Carolina (single filers)

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

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

Mississippi vs South Carolina FAQ

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

Mississippi is lower at $75,000: $2,268 of state income tax versus $3,343 in South Carolina. At $150,000 it is $5,268 in Mississippi and $7,843 in South Carolina. For a single filer, Mississippi and South Carolina charge the same state income tax (nothing) up to roughly $12,500 of income. Above that, Mississippi is the lower-tax state.

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

A single filer keeping $75,912 a year in Mississippi would keep $74,337 in South Carolina after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $1,575 a year, or $131 a month.

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

Mississippi uses a flat 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 Mississippi 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 Mississippi 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.