Mississippi vs South Carolina Paycheck Comparison 2026

Annual salary

$

Annual salary

$
Additional options (filing status, deductions)
Filing status
$
$

You take home $508/yr more in South Carolina

$42/mo · $20/paycheck more

Mississippi
South Carolina

$58,925/yr in Mississippi vs $59,433/yr in South Carolina.

Mississippi

Take-home per paycheck

$2,266.33

$58,925/yr · 26x/yr

Federal tax$7,67010%
State tax$2,6684%
Social Security$4,6506%
Medicare$1,0881%
Take-home$58,92579%
Tax rates
Effective: 21.4%Marginal fed: 22.0%Marginal state: 4.0%

South Carolina

Take-home per paycheck

$2,285.87

$59,433/yr · 26x/yr

Federal tax$7,67010%
State tax$2,1603%
Social Security$4,6506%
Medicare$1,0881%
Take-home$59,43379%
Tax rates
Effective: 20.8%Marginal fed: 22.0%Marginal state: 5.2%

Cost of living comparison

Cost of living in Mississippi is 7% lower than in South Carolina.

At a $75,000 salary, take-home pay of $58,925 in Mississippi has the purchasing power of $54,666 in South Carolina terms.

After adjusting for cost of living, South Carolina comes out ahead by $4,767/yr.

Housing
Median home$175,000vs$285,000
Mississippi
South Carolina
63% more
Avg 2BR rent$1,002/movs$1,128/mo
Mississippi
South Carolina
13% more
Groceries
Index
Mississippi
South Carolina
4% more
Transportation
Regular gas$3.05/galvs$3.21/gal
Mississippi
South Carolina
5% more
Utilities
Electric bill$97/movs$97/mo
Mississippi
South Carolina
Healthcare
Index
Mississippi
South Carolina
Childcare & Misc
Infant childcare$6,868/yrvs$11,512/yr
Mississippi
South Carolina
68% more

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

Mississippi: Mississippi has a flat state income tax of 4.00%. 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 Mississippi take-home South Carolina take-home Difference
$50,000 $40,687 $41,498 -$810
$75,000 $58,925 $59,433 -$508
$100,000 $75,512 $75,718 -$205
$150,000 $108,123 $107,724 + $400
$200,000 $141,259 $140,255 + $1,005
$300,000 $203,509 $201,294 + $2,215

Positive values mean higher take-home in Mississippi. Assumes single filer, no deductions.

FAQ

Which state has lower taxes, Mississippi or South Carolina?

At a $100,000 salary, South Carolina results in $206 more annual take-home pay. Mississippi has a flat state income tax of 4.00%. 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 South Carolina vs the other state?

The difference depends on salary. At $50,000, the gap is $811/yr. At $150,000, it grows to $400/yr. At $300,000, the difference is $2,215/yr.

Do Mississippi 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 Mississippi or South Carolina?

Mississippi is cheaper to live in. Cost of living in Mississippi is 6% lower than in South Carolina. Mississippi's Regional Price Parity is 86.1 and South Carolina's is 91.3 (US average = 100).

Is Mississippi cheaper than South Carolina?

Yes. Mississippi has a lower cost of living than South Carolina (index 86.1 vs 91.3). Housing is typically the biggest difference between the two states.

Is South Carolina more expensive than Mississippi?

Yes. South Carolina has a higher cost of living (index 91.3) compared to Mississippi (index 86.1). 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 $75,512 in Mississippi has the purchasing power of $71,211 in South Carolina terms. Conversely, $75,718 in South Carolina equals $80,290 in Mississippi terms. After adjusting for both taxes and cost of living, South Carolina comes out ahead.

Mississippi vs South Carolina cost of living — what's the difference?

The overall cost of living is 5% different between Mississippi and South Carolina. Living costs are 14% below the national average, the lowest in the US 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 Mississippi and South Carolina?

Mississippi 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

Mississippi Paycheck Estimator · South Carolina Paycheck Estimator · All states