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
South Carolina vs Virginia Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $156 less state income tax a year in South Carolina than in Virginia, which is about $13 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $32 in favor of Virginia.
South Carolina: up to 6%Virginia: up to 5.75%Updated October 10, 2026
Compare South Carolina and Virginia 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.
2Virginia
22.5%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $3,498
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $16,906
- Net income (annual)
- $58,094
Advanced analysis (optional)
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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
Virginia
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,409
Monthly take-home$4,841
Estimates use 2026 federal and state rates, the standard deduction for your filing status and no local taxes. Rankings use state income tax only.
South Carolina vs Virginia: how the two systems differ
| South Carolina | Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Progressive, 2 brackets | Progressive, 4 brackets |
| Top rate | 6% | 5.75% |
| Lowest rate | 3% | 2% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $8,350 standard deduction | $8,750 standard deduction, $930 personal exemption |
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 | SC state tax | VA state tax | Difference | SC take-home | VA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $643 | $911 | $268 less in South Carolina | $25,642 | $25,374 |
| $40,000 | $1,243 | $1,486 | $243 less in South Carolina | $33,077 | $32,834 |
| $50,000 | $1,843 | $2,061 | $218 less in South Carolina | $40,512 | $40,294 |
| $60,000 | $2,443 | $2,636 | $193 less in South Carolina | $47,947 | $47,754 |
| $75,000 | $3,343 | $3,498 | $156 less in South Carolina | $58,250 | $58,094 |
| $100,000 | $4,843 | $4,936 | $93 less in South Carolina | $74,337 | $74,244 |
| $150,000 | $7,843 | $7,811 | $32 less in Virginia | $105,948 | $105,980 |
| $250,000 | $13,843 | $13,561 | $282 less in Virginia | $169,339 | $169,621 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
Married filing jointly
| Income | SC state tax | VA state tax | Difference | SC take-home | VA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $2,842 | $2,942 | $100 less in South Carolina | $61,781 | $61,681 |
| $100,000 | $4,342 | $4,379 | $37 less in South Carolina | $80,368 | $80,331 |
| $150,000 | $7,342 | $7,254 | $88 less in Virginia | $115,843 | $115,931 |
| $250,000 | $13,342 | $13,004 | $338 less in Virginia | $184,126 | $184,464 |
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 $140,000 of income, and Virginia becomes the lower-tax state above that.
Rates side by side
South Carolina (single filers)
| 3% | $3,641 to $18,230 |
| 6% | Over $18,230 |
Virginia (single filers)
| 2% | Up to $3,000 |
| 3% | $3,001 to $5,000 |
| 5% | $5,001 to $17,000 |
| 5.75% | Over $17,000 |
Full details for each state: South Carolina income tax calculator and Virginia income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
South Carolina vs Virginia FAQ
Which has lower income tax, South Carolina or Virginia?+
South Carolina is lower at $75,000: $3,343 of state income tax versus $3,498 in Virginia. At $150,000 it is $7,843 in South Carolina and $7,811 in Virginia. For a single filer, South Carolina is the lower-tax state up to roughly $140,000 of income, and Virginia becomes the lower-tax state above that.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in South Carolina versus Virginia?+
A single filer keeping $74,337 a year in South Carolina would keep $74,244 in Virginia after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $93 a year, or $8 a month.
How do the South Carolina and Virginia income tax systems differ?+
South Carolina uses progressive rates up to 6%; Virginia uses progressive rates up to 5.75%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this South Carolina vs Virginia 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 South Carolina to Virginia 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.