South Carolina has a top income tax rate of 6%, the 19th highest combined sales tax (7.49%) and the federal $7.25 minimum wage as of 2026.
$8,356 a year: that is roughly what a South Carolina homeowner earning $75,000 pays in state income tax ($3,343), sales tax on $25,000 of purchases ($1,873), property tax on a $300,000 house ($1,470) and electricity at 900 kWh a month ($1,671).
South Carolina uses a graduated scale with 2 rates, topping out at 6%. Single filers' standard deduction: $8,350. On $50,000 of wages, a single filer's South Carolina tax works out to about $1,843 (3.7% of wages); on $100,000 it is about $4,843 (4.8%). Source: Tax Foundation, January 1, 2026.
| Rate | Single filers | Married filing jointly |
|---|---|---|
| 0% | over $0 | over $0 |
| 3% | over $3,640 | over $3,640 |
| 6% | over $18,230 | over $18,230 |
Estimated 2026 take-home pay for a single filer with no pre-tax deductions, using the federal brackets and $16,100 standard deduction, Social Security and Medicare, and South Carolina's brackets above. Open the paycheck calculator set to South Carolina to add a 401(k), change pay frequency or filing status.
| Salary | Federal tax | FICA | State tax | Take-home (year) | Per biweekly check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $3,820 | $3,825 | $1,843 | $40,512 | $1,558 |
| $75,000 | $7,670 | $5,738 | $3,343 | $58,250 | $2,240 |
| $100,000 | $13,170 | $7,650 | $4,843 | $74,337 | $2,859 |
The state rate is 6.00% and local governments add 1.49% on average, for a combined 7.49%, 19th highest of the 50 states and D.C. (median 7.00%). A $1,000 purchase carries about $75 in sales tax at the average combined rate. Source: Tax Foundation, July 1, 2026.
South Carolina follows the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour (South Carolina has no state minimum wage above the federal level, so the federal rate applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act), which is $15,080 a year for full-time work (2,080 hours). Source: U.S. Department of Labor, July 1, 2026.
Homeowners in South Carolina paid property taxes equal to 0.49% of home value on average, the 5th lowest effective rate (median state 0.79%). On a $300,000 home that is about $1,470 a year, or $122 a month in escrow. Source: Tax Foundation (Census ACS data), 2024 data.
Residential electricity averaged 15.47¢ per kWh in July 2026, the 20th lowest of the 50 states and D.C. (median 16.09¢). A household using 900 kWh a month would pay about $139 before fixed charges. Source: U.S. EIA, July 2026 data.
Among the 2 states it borders, South Carolina has the highest top income tax rate of its neighbors (6%) and the lowest property tax rate of its neighbors (0.49%).
| State | Top income tax | Sales tax | Min. wage | Property tax | Electricity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | 6% | 7.49% | $7.25 | 0.49% | 15.47¢ |
| Georgia | 5.19% | 7.56% | $7.25 | 0.79% | 16.27¢ |
| North Carolina | 3.99% | 7.10% | $7.25 | 0.66% | 15.16¢ |
South Carolina figures use statewide averages and skip credits, exemptions and local income taxes; check South Carolina revenue and labor department sites before filing or hiring.
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