Side-by-side tax comparison between Pennsylvania (3.07% top rate) and South Dakota (no income tax).
| Salary | Pennsylvania | South Dakota | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50K | $40,396 | $42,298 | +$1,901 | South Dakota |
| $75K | $58,451 | $61,303 | +$2,852 | South Dakota |
| $100K | $75,088 | $78,890 | +$3,803 | South Dakota |
| $150K | $107,742 | $113,446 | +$5,704 | South Dakota |
| $200K | $141,498 | $149,103 | +$7,605 | 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 Pennsylvania's 3.07% top rate. At $100K, the difference is $3,803/year — that’s $317/month.
However, cost of living matters. Pennsylvania has a cost index of 98 while South Dakota is at 92. With similar costs of living, the tax difference is the main factor.