South Carolina vs Texas Paycheck Comparison 2026
Annual salary
Annual salary
Additional options (filing status, deductions)
$2,160 /yr more take-home in Texas
$180/mo · $83 a paycheck.
South Carolina
Texas
$59,433/yr in South Carolina vs $61,593/yr in Texas.
South Carolina
Take-home per paycheck
$2,285.87
$59,433/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
Texas
Take-home per paycheck
$2,368.94
$61,593/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
What this paycheck affords in South Carolina vs Texas
Sized off $4,953/mo take-home in South Carolina and $5,133/mo in Texas. Every figure below is a spending rule of thumb, not a tax rule.
Purchasing power
$58,407 is what South Carolina take-home is worth at Texas prices
Against $61,593 actually paid in Texas, leaving Texas $3,186/yr ahead once cost of living is taken off.
Rent
$16 /mo more for a two-bedroom in South Carolina
$1,128/mo in South Carolina, $1,112/mo in Texas.
The average two-bedroom takes 23% of take-home in South Carolina and 22% in Texas — inside the comfortable range in both.
Buying a home
$10,000 more for the median home in Texas
$285,000 in South Carolina, $295,000 in Texas.
This salary covers the median home in South Carolina; the Texas median is 1.2× what it supports. 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
$219 /mo more left over in Texas
South Carolina has $1,476/mo spare; Texas has $1,695/mo spare.
Both paychecks cover the local average for everything. Splitting rent with one roommate would free up $564/mo in South Carolina and $556/mo in Texas.
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 | South Carolina | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.21/gal | $3.21/gal |
| Electricity | $97/mo | $87/mo |
| Infant childcare | $959/mo | $892/mo |
Childcare sits outside the budget above because it applies to some households and not others — on its own it is 19% of take-home in South Carolina and 17% in Texas.
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
South Carolina: South Carolina uses a progressive income tax with 2 brackets ranging from 1.99% to 5.21%.
Texas: Texas has no state income tax. Residents pay only federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare.
Take-home pay at different salaries (single filer, 2026)
| Salary | South Carolina take-home | Texas take-home | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $41,498 | $42,355 | -$857 |
| $75,000 | $59,433 | $61,593 | -$2,160 |
| $100,000 | $75,718 | $79,180 | -$3,462 |
| $150,000 | $107,724 | $113,791 | -$6,067 |
| $200,000 | $140,255 | $148,927 | -$8,672 |
| $300,000 | $201,294 | $215,177 | -$13,882 |
Positive values mean higher take-home in South Carolina. Assumes single filer, no deductions.
FAQ
Which state has lower taxes, South Carolina or Texas?
At a $100,000 salary, Texas results in $3,463 more annual take-home pay. South Carolina uses a progressive income tax with 2 brackets ranging from 1.99% to 5.21%. Texas has no state income tax. Residents pay only federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare.
How much more do you take home in Texas vs the other state?
The difference depends on salary. At $50,000, the gap is $858/yr. At $150,000, it grows to $6,068/yr. At $300,000, the difference is $13,883/yr.
Do South Carolina and Texas 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 South Carolina or Texas?
South Carolina is cheaper to live in. Cost of living in South Carolina is 6% lower than in Texas. South Carolina's Regional Price Parity is 91.3 and Texas's is 97.5 (US average = 100).
Is South Carolina cheaper than Texas?
Yes. South Carolina has a lower cost of living than Texas (index 91.3 vs 97.5). Housing is typically the biggest difference between the two states.
Is Texas more expensive than South Carolina?
Yes. Texas has a higher cost of living (index 97.5) compared to South Carolina (index 91.3). 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 $75,718 in South Carolina has the purchasing power of $70,903 in Texas terms. Conversely, $79,180 in Texas equals $84,557 in South Carolina terms. After adjusting for both taxes and cost of living, Texas comes out ahead.
South Carolina vs Texas cost of living — what's the difference?
The overall cost of living is 6% different between South Carolina and Texas. Living costs are 9% below the national average Living costs are about 3% below the national average After taxes and cost of living, Texas gives you more purchasing power on a $100,000 salary.
Do I need to file state tax returns in both South Carolina and Texas?
South Carolina requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. Texas has no state income tax, so residents do not file a state tax return. 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.
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- Texas Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and overall index
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- How much house can you afford in Texas?
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- Texas Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
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- Salary to Hourly Converter — Convert annual salary to hourly rate
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