1Pennsylvania
Lowest20.9%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,303
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $15,710
- Net income (annual)
- $59,290
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Pennsylvania vs South Carolina Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $1,040 less state income tax a year in Pennsylvania than in South Carolina, which is about $87 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $3,238 in favor of Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania: 3.07% flatSouth Carolina: up to 6%Updated October 10, 2026
Compare Pennsylvania 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
Pennsylvania
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,309
Monthly take-home$4,941
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.
Pennsylvania vs South Carolina: how the two systems differ
| Pennsylvania | South Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Flat 3.07% | Progressive, 2 brackets |
| Top rate | 3.07% | 6% |
| Lowest rate | 3.07% | 3% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | None in this model | $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 | PA state tax | SC state tax | Difference | PA take-home | SC take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $921 | $643 | $278 less in South Carolina | $25,364 | $25,642 |
| $40,000 | $1,228 | $1,243 | $15 less in Pennsylvania | $33,092 | $33,077 |
| $50,000 | $1,535 | $1,843 | $308 less in Pennsylvania | $40,820 | $40,512 |
| $60,000 | $1,842 | $2,443 | $601 less in Pennsylvania | $48,548 | $47,947 |
| $75,000 | $2,303 | $3,343 | $1,040 less in Pennsylvania | $59,290 | $58,250 |
| $100,000 | $3,070 | $4,843 | $1,773 less in Pennsylvania | $76,110 | $74,337 |
| $150,000 | $4,605 | $7,843 | $3,238 less in Pennsylvania | $109,186 | $105,948 |
| $250,000 | $7,675 | $13,843 | $6,168 less in Pennsylvania | $175,507 | $169,339 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
Married filing jointly
| Income | PA state tax | SC state tax | Difference | PA take-home | SC take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $2,303 | $2,842 | $539 less in Pennsylvania | $62,320 | $61,781 |
| $100,000 | $3,070 | $4,342 | $1,272 less in Pennsylvania | $81,640 | $80,368 |
| $150,000 | $4,605 | $7,342 | $2,737 less in Pennsylvania | $118,580 | $115,843 |
| $250,000 | $7,675 | $13,342 | $5,667 less in Pennsylvania | $189,793 | $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 $40,000 of income, and Pennsylvania becomes the lower-tax state above that.
Rates side by side
Pennsylvania (single filers)
| 3.07% | Over $0 |
South Carolina (single filers)
| 3% | $3,641 to $18,230 |
| 6% | Over $18,230 |
- Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania localities also levy an earned income tax, usually around 1%, which is not included here.
Full details for each state: Pennsylvania income tax calculator and South Carolina income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Pennsylvania vs South Carolina FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Pennsylvania or South Carolina?+
Pennsylvania is lower at $75,000: $2,303 of state income tax versus $3,343 in South Carolina. At $150,000 it is $4,605 in Pennsylvania and $7,843 in South Carolina. For a single filer, South Carolina is the lower-tax state up to roughly $40,000 of income, and Pennsylvania becomes the lower-tax state above that.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Pennsylvania versus South Carolina?+
A single filer keeping $76,110 a year in Pennsylvania would keep $74,337 in South Carolina after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $1,773 a year, or $148 a month.
How do the Pennsylvania and South Carolina income tax systems differ?+
Pennsylvania uses a flat 3.07% 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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.