Side-by-side tax comparison between South Carolina (6.4% top rate) and Virginia (5.75% top rate).
| Salary | South Carolina | Virginia | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50K | $39,898 | $40,141 | +$244 | Virginia |
| $75K | $57,703 | $58,068 | +$366 | Virginia |
| $100K | $74,090 | $74,578 | +$488 | Virginia |
| $150K | $106,246 | $106,977 | +$731 | Virginia |
| $200K | $139,503 | $140,478 | +$975 | Virginia |
Virginia offers higher take-home pay at every salary level. Virginia's 5.75% top rate is more favorable than South Carolina's 6.4%. At $100K, the difference is $488/year — that’s $41/month.
However, cost of living matters. South Carolina has a cost index of 92 while Virginia is at 103. After adjusting for cost of living, the gap narrows significantly.