Side-by-side tax comparison between Ohio (3.5% top rate) and South Dakota (no income tax).
| Salary | Ohio | South Dakota | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50K | $40,235 | $42,298 | +$2,063 | South Dakota |
| $75K | $58,209 | $61,303 | +$3,094 | South Dakota |
| $100K | $74,765 | $78,890 | +$4,125 | South Dakota |
| $150K | $107,259 | $113,446 | +$6,188 | South Dakota |
| $200K | $140,853 | $149,103 | +$8,250 | 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 Ohio's 3.5% top rate. At $100K, the difference is $4,125/year — that’s $344/month.
However, cost of living matters. Ohio has a cost index of 90 while South Dakota is at 92. With similar costs of living, the tax difference is the main factor.