1Rhode Island
Lowest20.8%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,196
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $15,603
- Net income (annual)
- $59,397
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
New Jersey vs Rhode Island Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $402 less state income tax a year in Rhode Island than in New Jersey, which is about $34 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $1,844 in favor of Rhode Island.
New Jersey: up to 10.75%Rhode Island: up to 5.99%Updated October 10, 2026
Compare New Jersey and Rhode Island 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.
2New Jersey
21.3%
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
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💰 Monthly breakdown
Your take-home pay, spread across the year
Rhode Island
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,300
Monthly take-home$4,950
New Jersey
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,334
Monthly take-home$4,916
Estimates use 2026 federal and state rates, the standard deduction for your filing status and no local taxes. Rankings use state income tax only.
New Jersey vs Rhode Island: how the two systems differ
| New Jersey | Rhode Island | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Progressive, 7 brackets | Progressive, 3 brackets |
| Top rate | 10.75% | 5.99% |
| Lowest rate | 1.4% | 3.75% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $1,000 personal exemption | $11,200 standard deduction, $5,250 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 | NJ state tax | RI state tax | Difference | NJ take-home | RI take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $438 | $508 | $71 less in New Jersey | $25,848 | $25,777 |
| $40,000 | $683 | $883 | $201 less in New Jersey | $33,638 | $33,437 |
| $50,000 | $1,215 | $1,258 | $43 less in New Jersey | $41,140 | $41,097 |
| $60,000 | $1,768 | $1,633 | $135 less in Rhode Island | $48,622 | $48,757 |
| $75,000 | $2,598 | $2,196 | $402 less in Rhode Island | $58,995 | $59,397 |
| $100,000 | $4,182 | $3,148 | $1,034 less in Rhode Island | $74,998 | $76,032 |
| $150,000 | $7,367 | $5,523 | $1,844 less in Rhode Island | $106,424 | $108,268 |
| $250,000 | $13,737 | $10,857 | $2,880 less in Rhode Island | $169,445 | $172,325 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
Married filing jointly
| Income | NJ state tax | RI state tax | Difference | NJ take-home | RI take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $1,400 | $1,579 | $179 less in New Jersey | $63,223 | $63,044 |
| $100,000 | $2,640 | $2,516 | $124 less in Rhode Island | $82,070 | $82,194 |
| $150,000 | $5,405 | $4,742 | $664 less in Rhode Island | $117,780 | $118,443 |
| $250,000 | $11,759 | $9,872 | $1,887 less in Rhode Island | $185,709 | $187,596 |
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, Rhode Island is the lower-tax state up to roughly $27,500 of income, and New Jersey becomes the lower-tax state above that. The order flips again near $52,500, so the better state depends on where your income falls.
Rates side by side
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 |
Rhode Island (single filers)
| 3.75% | Up to $82,050 |
| 4.75% | $82,051 to $186,450 |
| 5.99% | Over $186,450 |
- Rhode Island: Rhode Island also charges a temporary disability insurance payroll tax that is not included here.
Full details for each state: New Jersey income tax calculator and Rhode Island income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
New Jersey vs Rhode Island FAQ
Which has lower income tax, New Jersey or Rhode Island?+
Rhode Island is lower at $75,000: $2,196 of state income tax versus $2,598 in New Jersey. At $150,000 it is $7,367 in New Jersey and $5,523 in Rhode Island. For a single filer, Rhode Island is the lower-tax state up to roughly $27,500 of income, and New Jersey becomes the lower-tax state above that. The order flips again near $52,500, so the better state depends on where your income falls.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in New Jersey versus Rhode Island?+
A single filer keeping $74,998 a year in New Jersey would keep $76,032 in Rhode Island after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $1,034 a year, or $86 a month.
How do the New Jersey and Rhode Island income tax systems differ?+
New Jersey uses progressive rates up to 10.75%; Rhode Island uses progressive rates up to 5.99%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this New Jersey vs Rhode Island 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 New Jersey to Rhode Island 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.
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Estimates for education only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Not a substitute for a tax professional or your state revenue department.