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Tax year 2026 · state vs state

South Dakota vs West Virginia Income Tax Comparison (2026)

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $2,680 less state income tax a year in South Dakota than in West Virginia, which is about $223 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $6,295 in favor of South Dakota.

South Dakota: no state taxWest Virginia: up to 4.82%Updated October 10, 2026

Compare South Dakota and West 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.

1South Dakota

Lowest

17.9%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$0
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$13,408
Net income (annual)
$61,593

2West Virginia

21.5%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$2,680
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$16,088
Net income (annual)
$58,912

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💰 Monthly breakdown

Your take-home pay, spread across the year

South Dakota

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,117
Monthly take-home$5,133

West Virginia

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,341
Monthly take-home$4,909

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 Dakota vs West Virginia: how the two systems differ

South DakotaWest Virginia
Wage income taxNo tax on wagesProgressive, 5 brackets
Top rate0%4.82%
Lowest rate0%2.22%
Deductions and credits (single)Not applicable$2,000 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.

IncomeSD state taxWV state taxDifferenceSD take-homeWV take-home
$30,000$0$766$766 less in South Dakota$26,285$25,519
$40,000$0$1,099$1,099 less in South Dakota$34,320$33,221
$50,000$0$1,521$1,521 less in South Dakota$42,355$40,834
$60,000$0$1,965$1,965 less in South Dakota$50,390$48,425
$75,000$0$2,680$2,680 less in South Dakota$61,593$58,912
$100,000$0$3,885$3,885 less in South Dakota$79,180$75,295
$150,000$0$6,295$6,295 less in South Dakota$113,791$107,496
$250,000$0$11,115$11,115 less in South Dakota$183,182$172,067

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

Married filing jointly

IncomeSD state taxWV state taxDifferenceSD take-homeWV take-home
$75,000$0$2,584$2,584 less in South Dakota$64,623$62,039
$100,000$0$3,789$3,789 less in South Dakota$84,710$80,921
$150,000$0$6,199$6,199 less in South Dakota$123,185$116,986
$250,000$0$11,019$11,019 less in South Dakota$197,468$186,449

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 Dakota charges the same or less state income tax than West Virginia for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.

Rates side by side

South Dakota (single filers)

South Dakota has no state personal income tax. State revenue comes mainly from sales tax.

West Virginia (single filers)

2.22%Up to $10,000
2.96%$10,001 to $25,000
3.33%$25,001 to $40,000
4.44%$40,001 to $60,000
4.82%Over $60,000

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

South Dakota vs West Virginia FAQ

Which has lower income tax, South Dakota or West Virginia?+

South Dakota is lower at $75,000: $0 of state income tax versus $2,680 in West Virginia. At $150,000 it is $0 in South Dakota and $6,295 in West Virginia. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, South Dakota charges the same or less state income tax than West Virginia for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.

How much more do I keep on $100,000 in South Dakota versus West Virginia?+

A single filer keeping $79,180 a year in South Dakota would keep $75,295 in West Virginia after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $3,885 a year, or $324 a month.

How do the South Dakota and West Virginia income tax systems differ?+

South Dakota has no tax on wages; West Virginia uses progressive rates up to 4.82%.

Are local taxes included in this South Dakota vs West 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 Dakota to West 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

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.