What it costs to live and work in South Carolina: the minimum wage, state income tax, sales tax and median rent, from official sources, and what they mean for your monthly budget.
| South Carolina | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | $7.25 an hour | US Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division: State Minimum Wage Laws |
| State income tax | 1.99 % to 5.21 % | South Carolina Department of Revenue, Information Letter #26-20 (Act 110 of 2026) |
| State sales tax | 6 % | Tax Foundation: State and Local Sales Tax Rates, 2026 (rates as of January 1, 2026) |
| Median gross rent | $1,272 a month (2024) | US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates, table B25064 Median Gross Rent (Dollars), by state |
South Carolina has no state minimum wage law; the federal $7.25 an hour applies.
For tax year 2026 (Act 110 of 2026): 1.99 % on taxable income up to $29,999, and 5.21 % (minus $966) at $30,000 or more.
The state sales tax is 6 %; counties add their own rates (average local rate 1.49 %).
What income does rent in South Carolina take?
A common rule of thumb is to keep rent at or below 30 % of gross income. At the median rent of $1,272 a month, that means a household income of about $50,900 a year before tax.
Good to know
- Act 110 of 2026 lowers the 5.21 % top rate further from tax year 2027 when revenue grows enough, until it reaches 1.99 % (South Carolina Department of Revenue).
Sources
- US Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division: State Minimum Wage Laws (2026-07-01)
- Tax Foundation: State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026 (2026-02-19)
- Tax Foundation: State and Local Sales Tax Rates, 2026 (rates as of January 1, 2026) (2026-07-06)
- US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates, table B25064 Median Gross Rent (Dollars), by state (2024)
- South Carolina Department of Revenue, Information Letter #26-20 (Act 110 of 2026) (2026-08-31)