Side-by-side tax comparison between South Dakota (no income tax) and Utah (4.65% top rate).
| Salary | South Dakota | Utah | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50K | $42,298 | $40,554 | −$1,744 | South Dakota |
| $75K | $61,303 | $58,687 | −$2,616 | South Dakota |
| $100K | $78,890 | $75,403 | −$3,488 | South Dakota |
| $150K | $113,446 | $108,215 | −$5,231 | South Dakota |
| $200K | $149,103 | $142,128 | −$6,975 | 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 Utah's 4.65% top rate. At $100K, the difference is $3,488/year — that’s $291/month.
However, cost of living matters. South Dakota has a cost index of 92 while Utah is at 99. With similar costs of living, the tax difference is the main factor.