North Carolina vs South Carolina
North Carolina has a progressive state income tax reaching 3.99%. South Carolina has a two-rate state income tax reaching 5.21%. Federal tax is identical in both, so the state layer is the whole difference.
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The difference is the state layer
Both restructured for 2026: North Carolina completed its phasedown to 3.99% and South Carolina replaced three brackets with two.
US$223 a year apart on US$60,000, in favour of South Carolina
| Gross | North Carolina keeps | South Carolina keeps | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| US$30,000 | US$25,597 | US$25,987 | US$390 more in South Carolina |
| US$60,000 | US$48,505 | US$48,727 | US$223 more in South Carolina |
| US$100,000 | US$75,699 | US$74,936 | US$763 more in North Carolina |
| US$150,000 | US$108,315 | US$106,942 | US$1,373 more in North Carolina |
Both use the USD, so these are the same amount of money on both sides. Figures are for a single filer and exclude cost of living, and include federal tax and payroll taxes, which are identical either side.
Both states apply the same federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare. Enter a salary above and switch the state selector between North Carolina and South Carolina to see the gap on your own number.
North Carolina
a progressive state income tax reaching 3.99%
South Carolina
a two-rate state income tax reaching 5.21%
Local taxes are not included, and they can change this comparison where one of the two has significant city or county income taxes.