Side-by-side tax comparison between Maine (7.15% top rate) and South Dakota (no income tax).
| Salary | Maine | South Dakota | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50K | $39,616 | $42,298 | +$2,681 | South Dakota |
| $75K | $57,281 | $61,303 | +$4,022 | South Dakota |
| $100K | $73,528 | $78,890 | +$5,363 | South Dakota |
| $150K | $105,402 | $113,446 | +$8,044 | South Dakota |
| $200K | $138,378 | $149,103 | +$10,725 | 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 Maine's 7.15% top rate. At $100K, the difference is $5,363/year — that’s $447/month.
However, cost of living matters. Maine has a cost index of 98 while South Dakota is at 92. With similar costs of living, the tax difference is the main factor.