North Carolina
9.9%
of state income · rank #23
- Per capita
- $5,299
- Sales tax
- 7.1%
- Property tax
- 0.66%
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Burden year 2022
Burden year 2022North Carolina vs South Carolina Total Tax Burden
South Carolina has the lower state-local burden by 1% of income. Compare per-capita burden, income illustrations, sales tax, and property tax.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Lower average burden
South Carolina is lower
1% of income lower, an illustrative $1,000 annual gap at $100,000 of income.
Side-by-side tax burden scoreboard
South Carolina
8.9%
of state income · rank #9
- Per capita
- $4,596
- Sales tax
- 7.49%
- Property tax
- 0.49%
Burden illustrations by income
Average-rate illustrations only—not personal tax calculations.
| Income | North Carolina | South Carolina | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $4,950 | $4,450 | $500 |
| $75,000 | $7,425 | $6,675 | $750 |
| $100,000 | $9,900 | $8,900 | $1,000 |
| $150,000 | $14,850 | $13,350 | $1,500 |
| $250,000 | $24,750 | $22,250 | $2,500 |
$50,000 income
North Carolina$4,950
South Carolina$4,450
Illustrative difference: $500
$75,000 income
North Carolina$7,425
South Carolina$6,675
Illustrative difference: $750
$100,000 income
North Carolina$9,900
South Carolina$8,900
Illustrative difference: $1,000
$150,000 income
North Carolina$14,850
South Carolina$13,350
Illustrative difference: $1,500
Per-capita difference
North Carolina is $5,299 and South Carolina is $4,596, a $703 gap.
Tax mix matters
Income, sales, property, business, excise, and other taxes contribute differently in each state.
Economic incidence
Burden allocates taxes to who bears their cost, which can differ from where a government collects the payment.
North Carolina vs South Carolina tax burden FAQs
South Carolina has the lower state-local tax burden by 1% of income. The estimates are 9.9% in North Carolina and 8.9% in South Carolina.
Applying the average burden-rate gap to $100,000 gives an illustrative difference of about $1,000 per year.
No. This comparison covers state and local taxes. Federal income and payroll taxes are excluded because they generally do not depend on the state of residence.
The Tax Foundation measure includes individual income, property, general and selective sales, excise, business, license, estate, and other state and local taxes allocated to the residents who economically bear them.
No. It is a statewide average economic-incidence estimate. Income, spending, homeownership, deductions, credits, and local jurisdiction determine an individual household's direct taxes.
South Carolina has the lower average burden, but salary, housing costs, public services, and household tax exposure should also be compared.
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Average burden, per-capita cost, income illustrations, sales tax, and property tax.
Burden year 2022. Statewide average economic-incidence estimates; not personal tax calculations.