Side-by-side tax comparison between Louisiana (4.25% top rate) and South Dakota (no income tax).
| Salary | Louisiana | South Dakota | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50K | $40,704 | $42,298 | +$1,594 | South Dakota |
| $75K | $58,912 | $61,303 | +$2,391 | South Dakota |
| $100K | $75,703 | $78,890 | +$3,188 | South Dakota |
| $150K | $108,665 | $113,446 | +$4,781 | South Dakota |
| $200K | $142,728 | $149,103 | +$6,375 | South Dakota |
South Dakota offers higher take-home pay at every salary level. With no state income tax, South Dakota gives you a significant advantage over Louisiana's 4.25% top rate. At $100K, the difference is $3,188/year — that’s $266/month.
However, cost of living matters. Louisiana has a cost index of 91 while South Dakota is at 92. With similar costs of living, the tax difference is the main factor.