Side-by-side tax comparison between South Dakota (no income tax) and Virginia (5.75% top rate).
| Salary | South Dakota | Virginia | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50K | $42,298 | $40,141 | −$2,156 | South Dakota |
| $75K | $61,303 | $58,068 | −$3,234 | South Dakota |
| $100K | $78,890 | $74,578 | −$4,313 | South Dakota |
| $150K | $113,446 | $106,977 | −$6,469 | South Dakota |
| $200K | $149,103 | $140,478 | −$8,625 | 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 Virginia's 5.75% top rate. At $100K, the difference is $4,313/year — that’s $359/month.
However, cost of living matters. South Dakota has a cost index of 92 while Virginia is at 103. After adjusting for cost of living, the gap narrows significantly.