Salary Guide · 2026
South Carolina Salary Guide (2026)
This guide explains how salaries are taxed in South Carolina, what take-home pay looks like at different income levels, and how cost of living affects real purchasing power across major cities.
South Carolina Income Snapshot
Individual median income
$38,600
-31% vs US median
Household median income
$66,685
US Census ACS 2023
Median take-home (annual)
$30,651
Eff. rate: 20.59%
Median monthly take-home
$2,554
Single filer, 2026
Income Tax Structure in South Carolina
Tax system: Flat state income tax (6.5%, phasing to 6%)
South Carolina has a flat income tax currently phasing down. Charleston and Columbia offer growing job markets with a coastal lifestyle and cost of living below the national average.
Take-Home Pay at Popular Salary Levels
Single filer · Standard deduction · SC state tax · 2026 IRS brackets
| Gross salary | Federal tax | State tax | FICA | Take-home | Monthly | Eff. rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $55,000 | $4,494 | $3,520 | $4,208 | $42,778 | $3,565 | 22.22% |
| $80,000 | $8,954 | $5,120 | $6,120 | $59,806 | $4,984 | 25.24% |
| $115,000 | $16,654 | $7,360 | $8,798 | $82,188 | $6,849 | 28.53% |
| $160,000 | $27,314 | $10,240 | $12,240 | $110,206 | $9,184 | 31.12% |
Take-home as % of gross
Housing Affordability in South Carolina Cities
Based on $115,000 salary · Rent: HUD FMR 2026 · COL: C2ER/ACCRA
Columbia
COL: 1.00× · 1BR rent: $1,250/mo
Rent burden: 18.3% of take-home
Is $115,000 enough in Columbia? →Charleston
COL: 1.21× · 1BR rent: $1,650/mo
Rent burden: 24.1% of take-home
Is $115,000 enough in Charleston? →North Charleston
COL: 1.13× · 1BR rent: $1,500/mo
Rent burden: 21.9% of take-home
Is $115,000 enough in North Charleston? →Mount Pleasant
COL: 1.31× · 1BR rent: $1,850/mo
Rent burden: 27.0% of take-home
Is $115,000 enough in Mount Pleasant? →Rock Hill
COL: 0.98× · 1BR rent: $1,200/mo
Rent burden: 17.5% of take-home
Is $115,000 enough in Rock Hill? →Greenville
COL: 1.03× · 1BR rent: $1,300/mo
Rent burden: 19.0% of take-home
Is $115,000 enough in Greenville? →Popular Salary Guides for South Carolina
Is This Salary Enough in South Carolina?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is $100,000 a good salary in South Carolina?
A $100,000 salary in South Carolina yields approximately $72,596 per year ($6,050/month) after federal and state taxes. In most South Carolina cities, this is above the state individual median of $38,600 — generally a comfortable income.
How much state income tax do you pay in South Carolina?
South Carolina has Flat state income tax (6.5%, phasing to 6%). For a $80,000 salary, the estimated state income tax is $5,120. Your effective rate depends on your income level, filing status, and deductions.
What salary is considered middle class in South Carolina?
The individual median income in South Carolina is $38,600 and the household median is $66,685 (Census ACS 2023). Middle-class income typically ranges from 67%–200% of the household median, roughly $44,679–$133,370 for a family.
Data Sources
- •Tax calculations: IRS federal tax tables
- •Payroll taxes: Social Security Administration
- •Salary data: Bureau of Labor Statistics
- •Rent data: HUD Fair Market Rents
Data updated monthly using government datasets.