Iowa vs South Carolina Paycheck Comparison 2026
Annual salary
Annual salary
Additional options (filing status, deductions)
$38 /yr more take-home in South Carolina
$3/mo · $1 a paycheck.
Iowa
South Carolina
$59,394/yr in Iowa vs $59,433/yr in South Carolina.
Iowa
Take-home per paycheck
$2,284.40
$59,394/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
South Carolina
Take-home per paycheck
$2,285.87
$59,433/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
What this paycheck affords in Iowa vs South Carolina
Sized off $4,950/mo take-home in Iowa and $4,953/mo in South Carolina. Every figure below is a spending rule of thumb, not a tax rule.
Purchasing power
$61,312 is what Iowa take-home is worth at South Carolina prices
Against $59,433 actually paid in South Carolina, leaving Iowa $1,880/yr ahead once cost of living is taken off.
Rent
$40 /mo more for a two-bedroom in South Carolina
$1,088/mo in Iowa, $1,128/mo in South Carolina.
The average two-bedroom takes 22% of take-home in Iowa and 23% in South Carolina — inside the comfortable range in both.
Buying a home
$75,000 more for the median home in South Carolina
$210,000 in Iowa, $285,000 in South Carolina.
This salary covers the median home in both states. Lenders size a mortgage off gross pay, so the budgets start from $75,000 at a 28% debt-to-income ratio, 6.75% over 30 years, each with its own state property tax rate.
What's left each month
$62 /mo more left over in Iowa
Iowa has $1,538/mo spare; South Carolina has $1,476/mo spare.
Both paychecks cover the local average for everything. Splitting rent with one roommate would free up $544/mo in Iowa and $564/mo in South Carolina.
Monthly cost by expense class
Every class on one scale, so housing's share of the month stays visible. Housing is the measured average two-bedroom; the rest are BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey averages moved by each state's cost-of-living index.
Other costs
| Cost | Iowa | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.19/gal | $3.21/gal |
| Electricity | $83/mo | $97/mo |
| Infant childcare | $800/mo | $959/mo |
Childcare sits outside the budget above because it applies to some households and not others — on its own it is 16% of take-home in Iowa and 19% in South Carolina.
Sources: MERIC/C2ER Cost of Living Index (2025), AAA Fuel Gauge Report (2025), EIA State Electricity Profiles (2024), Child Care Aware of America (2024), Zillow Home Value Index (2025), BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Estimate based on 2026 tax rates and standard deductions. Does not include local taxes, itemized deductions, tax credits, or other individual circumstances.
Tax system comparison
Iowa: Iowa has a flat state income tax of 3.80%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate.
South Carolina: South Carolina uses a progressive income tax with 2 brackets ranging from 1.99% to 5.21%.
Take-home pay at different salaries (single filer, 2026)
| Salary | Iowa take-home | South Carolina take-home | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $41,107 | $41,498 | -$391 |
| $75,000 | $59,394 | $59,433 | -$38 |
| $100,000 | $76,032 | $75,718 | + $314 |
| $150,000 | $108,743 | $107,724 | + $1,019 |
| $200,000 | $141,979 | $140,255 | + $1,724 |
| $300,000 | $204,429 | $201,294 | + $3,134 |
Positive values mean higher take-home in Iowa. Assumes single filer, no deductions.
FAQ
Which state has lower taxes, Iowa or South Carolina?
At a $100,000 salary, Iowa results in $314 more annual take-home pay. Iowa has a flat state income tax of 3.80%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate. South Carolina uses a progressive income tax with 2 brackets ranging from 1.99% to 5.21%.
How much more do you take home in Iowa vs the other state?
The difference depends on salary. At $50,000, the gap is $391/yr. At $150,000, it grows to $1,019/yr. At $300,000, the difference is $3,134/yr.
Do Iowa and South Carolina have the same federal taxes?
Yes. Federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare are the same in every state. Only state income tax differs. This calculator shows the combined effect of federal and state taxes on your take-home pay.
Is it cheaper to live in Iowa or South Carolina?
Iowa is cheaper to live in. Cost of living in Iowa is 1% lower than in South Carolina. Iowa's Regional Price Parity is 90.2 and South Carolina's is 91.3 (US average = 100).
Is Iowa cheaper than South Carolina?
Yes. Iowa has a lower cost of living than South Carolina (index 90.2 vs 91.3). Housing is typically the biggest difference between the two states.
Is South Carolina more expensive than Iowa?
Yes. South Carolina has a higher cost of living (index 91.3) compared to Iowa (index 90.2). The national average is 100. Housing costs are typically the largest driver of the difference.
After cost of living, which state is actually cheaper?
At a $100,000 salary, take-home pay of $76,032 in Iowa has the purchasing power of $75,116 in South Carolina terms. Conversely, $75,718 in South Carolina equals $76,641 in Iowa terms. After adjusting for both taxes and cost of living, South Carolina comes out ahead.
Iowa vs South Carolina cost of living — what's the difference?
The overall cost of living is 1% different between Iowa and South Carolina. Living costs are 10% below the national average Living costs are 9% below the national average After taxes and cost of living, South Carolina gives you more purchasing power on a $100,000 salary.
Do I need to file state tax returns in both Iowa and South Carolina?
Iowa requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. South Carolina requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. If you move between states mid-year, you typically file a part-year resident return in each state for the income earned while living there. Each state has its own tax return form — check your state's department of revenue website for the correct form and e-filing options.
Related tools
- Iowa vs South Carolina Cost of Living — Compare housing, groceries, utilities, and overall expenses
- Iowa Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and overall index
- South Carolina Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and overall index
- How much house can you afford in Iowa?
- How much house can you afford in South Carolina?
- Iowa Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates and effective tax rate
- South Carolina Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates and effective tax rate
- Iowa Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- South Carolina Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Pay Raise Calculator — See how a raise changes your take-home pay
- Gross-Up Calculator — Find the salary you need to hit a target take-home
- Salary to Hourly Converter — Convert annual salary to hourly rate
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Iowa Paycheck Estimator · South Carolina Paycheck Estimator · All states