South Carolina Tax & Salary Calculators (2026)
Everything you need to work out pay and tax as a South Carolina resident in 2026, in one place. South Carolina runs 3 progressive brackets from 0.00% to 6.20% after a $16,100 state standard deduction. Federal income tax and FICA (6.2% Social Security up to $184,500 plus 1.45% Medicare) apply on top, identically in every state — the South Carolina layer is what makes your net pay different from a neighbour's.
South Carolina has steadily cut its top rate from 7% in 2022 down to 6.2% in 2025 — with a goal of reaching 6% by 2027. Cost of living in South Carolina sits at index 95 (US average = 100), median household income is $63,623, and a one-bedroom apartment in Charleston rents for around $1,900 per month. The local economy leans on automotive, aerospace, and tourism.
South Carolina calculators
South Carolina income tax brackets 2026 (single filer)
| Taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $3,460 | 0.00% |
| $3,460 – $17,330 | 3.00% |
| $17,330 and up | 6.20% |
South Carolina tax facts beyond income tax (2026)
| State sales tax | 6% |
| Avg. effective property tax | 0.57% of home value |
| Minimum wage 2026 | $7.25 / hour |
| Top state income tax rate | 6.20% |
| Reciprocity agreements | None |
South Carolina charges a 6% state sales tax, homeowners pay an average effective property tax of 0.57% of market value, and the minimum wage in force during 2026 is $7.25 an hour. Local option taxes bring most areas to 7%–9%.
South Carolina adds no state-mandated employee payroll deduction beyond federal FICA, so your gross-to-net gap comes only from federal tax and South Carolina income tax.
South Carolina exempts Social Security and offers a $10,000 retirement deduction plus a $15,000 senior deduction at 65+.
Commuting and remote work across South Carolina lines
South Carolina has no income-tax reciprocity agreements, so if you live here and work across a state line you generally file a nonresident return in the work state and claim a credit at home to avoid double taxation.
If you work remotely for an out-of-state employer, the state where you physically sit normally has the first claim on your wages, while your employer may still be required to register for South Carolina withholding. Keep a day-count record whenever you split the year between South Carolina and North Carolina.
South Carolina vs North Carolina: $75,000 salary compared
| Measure | South Carolina | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Annual take-home | $58,599 | $58,791 |
| Effective tax rate | 21.9% | 21.6% |
| Cost-of-living index | 95 | 96 |
| Property tax rate | 0.57% | 0.8% |
| State sales tax | 6% | 4.75% |
The paycheck difference is $192 a year on a $75,000 salary, but the full picture depends on housing: a one-bedroom in Charleston runs about $1,900 a month, and property and sales taxes shift the balance again. See the North Carolina hub for the mirror view.