Side-by-side tax comparison between South Dakota (no income tax) and West Virginia (5.12% top rate).
| Salary | South Dakota | West Virginia | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50K | $42,298 | $40,378 | −$1,920 | South Dakota |
| $75K | $61,303 | $58,423 | −$2,880 | South Dakota |
| $100K | $78,890 | $75,050 | −$3,840 | South Dakota |
| $150K | $113,446 | $107,686 | −$5,760 | South Dakota |
| $200K | $149,103 | $141,423 | −$7,680 | 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 West Virginia's 5.12% top rate. At $100K, the difference is $3,840/year — that’s $320/month.
However, cost of living matters. South Dakota has a cost index of 92 while West Virginia is at 83. With similar costs of living, the tax difference is the main factor.