1Utah
Lowest21.1%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,409
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $15,817
- Net income (annual)
- $59,184
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $189 less state income tax a year in Utah than in New Jersey, which is about $16 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $1,583 in favor of Utah.
New Jersey: up to 10.75%Utah: 4.5% flatUpdated October 10, 2026
Estimate for education only, not tax advice. 2026 federal and state rules, standard deductions, no local taxes. How we calculate.
Comparing 2 states, sorted by lowest overall tax rate.
21.1%
Overall effective tax rate
21.3%
Overall effective tax rate
Choose which extra insights you would like to see.
Your take-home pay, spread across the year
Utah
New Jersey
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 | Utah | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Progressive, 7 brackets | Flat 4.5% |
| Top rate | 10.75% | 4.5% |
| Lowest rate | 1.4% | 4.5% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $1,000 personal exemption | $966 personal credit |
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 | UT state tax | Difference | NJ take-home | UT take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $438 | $384 | $54 less in Utah | $25,848 | $25,901 |
| $40,000 | $683 | $834 | $152 less in New Jersey | $33,638 | $33,486 |
| $50,000 | $1,215 | $1,284 | $69 less in New Jersey | $41,140 | $41,071 |
| $60,000 | $1,768 | $1,734 | $34 less in Utah | $48,622 | $48,656 |
| $75,000 | $2,598 | $2,409 | $189 less in Utah | $58,995 | $59,184 |
| $100,000 | $4,182 | $3,534 | $648 less in Utah | $74,998 | $75,646 |
| $150,000 | $7,367 | $5,784 | $1,583 less in Utah | $106,424 | $108,007 |
| $250,000 | $13,737 | $10,284 | $3,453 less in Utah | $169,445 | $172,898 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
| Income | NJ state tax | UT state tax | Difference | NJ take-home | UT take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $1,400 | $1,443 | $43 less in New Jersey | $63,223 | $63,180 |
| $100,000 | $2,640 | $2,568 | $72 less in Utah | $82,070 | $82,142 |
| $150,000 | $5,405 | $4,818 | $587 less in Utah | $117,780 | $118,367 |
| $250,000 | $11,759 | $9,318 | $2,441 less in Utah | $185,709 | $188,150 |
Married filing jointly, 2026, federal standard deduction. Uses each state's joint brackets where they differ.
For a single filer, Utah is the lower-tax state up to roughly $32,500 of income, and New Jersey becomes the lower-tax state above that. The order flips again near $57,500, so the better state depends on where your income falls.
| 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 |
| 4.5% | Over $0 |
Full details for each state: New Jersey income tax calculator and Utah income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Utah is lower at $75,000: $2,409 of state income tax versus $2,598 in New Jersey. At $150,000 it is $7,367 in New Jersey and $5,784 in Utah. For a single filer, Utah is the lower-tax state up to roughly $32,500 of income, and New Jersey becomes the lower-tax state above that. The order flips again near $57,500, so the better state depends on where your income falls.
A single filer keeping $74,998 a year in New Jersey would keep $75,646 in Utah after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $648 a year, or $54 a month.
New Jersey uses progressive rates up to 10.75%; Utah uses a flat 4.5% rate.
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.
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.
Last checked October 10, 2026. Confirm with your state tax agency before filing.
Estimates for education only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Not a substitute for a tax professional or your state revenue department.