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
New Jersey vs Virginia Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $901 less state income tax a year in New Jersey than in Virginia, which is about $75 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $444 in favor of New Jersey.
New Jersey: up to 10.75%Virginia: up to 5.75%Updated October 10, 2026
Compare New Jersey and Virginia 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.
2Virginia
22.5%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $3,498
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $16,906
- Net income (annual)
- $58,094
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💰 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
Virginia
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,409
Monthly take-home$4,841
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 Virginia: how the two systems differ
| New Jersey | Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Progressive, 7 brackets | Progressive, 4 brackets |
| Top rate | 10.75% | 5.75% |
| Lowest rate | 1.4% | 2% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $1,000 personal exemption | $8,750 standard deduction, $930 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 | VA state tax | Difference | NJ take-home | VA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $438 | $911 | $473 less in New Jersey | $25,848 | $25,374 |
| $40,000 | $683 | $1,486 | $803 less in New Jersey | $33,638 | $32,834 |
| $50,000 | $1,215 | $2,061 | $846 less in New Jersey | $41,140 | $40,294 |
| $60,000 | $1,768 | $2,636 | $868 less in New Jersey | $48,622 | $47,754 |
| $75,000 | $2,598 | $3,498 | $901 less in New Jersey | $58,995 | $58,094 |
| $100,000 | $4,182 | $4,936 | $754 less in New Jersey | $74,998 | $74,244 |
| $150,000 | $7,367 | $7,811 | $444 less in New Jersey | $106,424 | $105,980 |
| $250,000 | $13,737 | $13,561 | $176 less in Virginia | $169,445 | $169,621 |
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 | VA state tax | Difference | NJ take-home | VA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $1,400 | $2,942 | $1,542 less in New Jersey | $63,223 | $61,681 |
| $100,000 | $2,640 | $4,379 | $1,739 less in New Jersey | $82,070 | $80,331 |
| $150,000 | $5,405 | $7,254 | $1,849 less in New Jersey | $117,780 | $115,931 |
| $250,000 | $11,759 | $13,004 | $1,246 less in New Jersey | $185,709 | $184,464 |
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, Virginia is the lower-tax state up to roughly $17,500 of income, and New Jersey becomes the lower-tax state above that. The order flips again near $222,500, 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 |
Virginia (single filers)
| 2% | Up to $3,000 |
| 3% | $3,001 to $5,000 |
| 5% | $5,001 to $17,000 |
| 5.75% | Over $17,000 |
Full details for each state: New Jersey income tax calculator and Virginia income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
New Jersey vs Virginia FAQ
Which has lower income tax, New Jersey or Virginia?+
New Jersey is lower at $75,000: $2,598 of state income tax versus $3,498 in Virginia. At $150,000 it is $7,367 in New Jersey and $7,811 in Virginia. For a single filer, Virginia is the lower-tax state up to roughly $17,500 of income, and New Jersey becomes the lower-tax state above that. The order flips again near $222,500, so the better state depends on where your income falls.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in New Jersey versus Virginia?+
A single filer keeping $74,998 a year in New Jersey would keep $74,244 in Virginia after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $754 a year, or $63 a month.
How do the New Jersey and Virginia income tax systems differ?+
New Jersey uses progressive rates up to 10.75%; Virginia uses progressive rates up to 5.75%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this New Jersey vs Virginia 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 Virginia 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.