1New Jersey
Lowest21.3%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,598
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $16,005
- Net income (annual)
- $58,995
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
California vs New Jersey Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $190 less state income tax a year in New Jersey than in California, which is about $16 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $2,354 in favor of New Jersey.
California: up to 13.3%New Jersey: up to 10.75%Updated October 10, 2026
Compare California and New Jersey for your income
Estimate for education only, not tax advice. 2026 federal and state rules, standard deductions, no local taxes. How we calculate.
State comparison
Comparing 2 states, sorted by lowest overall tax rate.
2California
21.6%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,788
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $16,195
- Net income (annual)
- $58,805
Advanced analysis (optional)
Choose which extra insights you would like to see.
💰 Monthly breakdown
Your take-home pay, spread across the year
New Jersey
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,334
Monthly take-home$4,916
California
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,350
Monthly take-home$4,900
Estimates use 2026 federal and state rates, the standard deduction for your filing status and no local taxes. Rankings use state income tax only.
California vs New Jersey: how the two systems differ
| California | New Jersey | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Progressive, 10 brackets | Progressive, 7 brackets |
| Top rate | 13.3% | 10.75% |
| Lowest rate | 1% | 1.4% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $5,540 standard deduction, $153 personal credit | $1,000 personal exemption |
State income tax and take-home pay at every salary
The same salary can leave you with different take-home pay depending on the state. This table applies each state’s 2026 rules to a single filer with no pre-tax contributions.
| Income | CA state tax | NJ state tax | Difference | CA take-home | NJ take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $225 | $438 | $212 less in California | $26,060 | $25,848 |
| $40,000 | $589 | $683 | $93 less in California | $33,731 | $33,638 |
| $50,000 | $1,049 | $1,215 | $166 less in California | $41,306 | $41,140 |
| $60,000 | $1,649 | $1,768 | $119 less in California | $48,741 | $48,622 |
| $75,000 | $2,788 | $2,598 | $190 less in New Jersey | $58,805 | $58,995 |
| $100,000 | $5,070 | $4,182 | $889 less in New Jersey | $74,110 | $74,998 |
| $150,000 | $9,720 | $7,367 | $2,354 less in New Jersey | $104,071 | $106,424 |
| $250,000 | $19,020 | $13,737 | $5,284 less in New Jersey | $164,162 | $169,445 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
Married filing jointly
| Income | CA state tax | NJ state tax | Difference | CA take-home | NJ take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $979 | $1,400 | $421 less in California | $63,644 | $63,223 |
| $100,000 | $2,099 | $2,640 | $541 less in California | $82,611 | $82,070 |
| $150,000 | $5,576 | $5,405 | $170 less in New Jersey | $117,609 | $117,780 |
| $250,000 | $14,791 | $11,759 | $3,032 less in New Jersey | $182,677 | $185,709 |
Married filing jointly, 2026, federal standard deduction. Uses each state's joint brackets where they differ.
Does the lower-tax state change as income rises?
For a single filer, California is the lower-tax state up to roughly $67,500 of income, and New Jersey becomes the lower-tax state above that.
Rates side by side
California (single filers)
| 1% | Up to $11,079 |
| 2% | $11,080 to $26,264 |
| 4% | $26,265 to $41,452 |
| 6% | $41,453 to $57,542 |
| 8% | $57,543 to $72,724 |
| 9.3% | $72,725 to $371,479 |
| 10.3% | $371,480 to $445,771 |
| 11.3% | $445,772 to $742,953 |
| 12.3% | $742,954 to $1,000,000 |
| 13.3% | Over $1,000,000 |
New Jersey (single filers)
| 1.4% | Up to $20,000 |
| 1.75% | $20,001 to $35,000 |
| 3.5% | $35,001 to $40,000 |
| 5.53% | $40,001 to $75,000 |
| 6.37% | $75,001 to $500,000 |
| 8.97% | $500,001 to $1,000,000 |
| 10.75% | Over $1,000,000 |
- California: California also charges 1.3% State Disability Insurance (SDI) on all wages, and an extra 1% mental health tax above $1 million. Neither is included here.
Full details for each state: California income tax calculator and New Jersey income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
California vs New Jersey FAQ
Which has lower income tax, California or New Jersey?+
New Jersey is lower at $75,000: $2,598 of state income tax versus $2,788 in California. At $150,000 it is $9,720 in California and $7,367 in New Jersey. For a single filer, California is the lower-tax state up to roughly $67,500 of income, and New Jersey becomes the lower-tax state above that.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in California versus New Jersey?+
A single filer keeping $74,110 a year in California would keep $74,998 in New Jersey after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $889 a year, or $74 a month.
How do the California and New Jersey income tax systems differ?+
California uses progressive rates up to 13.3%; New Jersey uses progressive rates up to 10.75%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this California vs New Jersey comparison?+
No. It covers federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and state income tax only. City, county, sales and property taxes are not included, and they can change the real cost of living in each state.
Should I move from California to New Jersey to save on taxes?+
State income tax is one cost among many. Property and sales taxes, housing, insurance and wages also differ, and you may owe tax to both states in the year you move. Use this comparison as one input and confirm details with a tax professional.
Sources
- Tax Foundation: 2026 state individual income tax rates and brackets
- IRS: Tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2026
Last checked October 10, 2026. Confirm with your state tax agency before filing.
More state comparisons
- California vs Texas
- California vs Florida
- California vs New York
- California vs Washington
- New Jersey vs Texas
- Florida vs New Jersey
- New Jersey vs New York
- New Jersey vs Washington
- All state comparisons →
Estimates for education only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Not a substitute for a tax professional or your state revenue department.