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Tax year 2026 · state vs state

New Jersey vs West Virginia Income Tax Comparison (2026)

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $82 less state income tax a year in New Jersey than in West Virginia, which is about $7 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $1,072 in favor of West Virginia.

New Jersey: up to 10.75%West Virginia: up to 4.82%Updated October 10, 2026

Compare New Jersey and West 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.

1New Jersey

Lowest

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

2West Virginia

21.5%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$2,680
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$16,088
Net income (annual)
$58,912

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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

West Virginia

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,341
Monthly take-home$4,909

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 West Virginia: how the two systems differ

New JerseyWest Virginia
Wage income taxProgressive, 7 bracketsProgressive, 5 brackets
Top rate10.75%4.82%
Lowest rate1.4%2.22%
Deductions and credits (single)$1,000 personal exemption$2,000 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.

IncomeNJ state taxWV state taxDifferenceNJ take-homeWV take-home
$30,000$438$766$328 less in New Jersey$25,848$25,519
$40,000$683$1,099$416 less in New Jersey$33,638$33,221
$50,000$1,215$1,521$306 less in New Jersey$41,140$40,834
$60,000$1,768$1,965$197 less in New Jersey$48,622$48,425
$75,000$2,598$2,680$82 less in New Jersey$58,995$58,912
$100,000$4,182$3,885$297 less in West Virginia$74,998$75,295
$150,000$7,367$6,295$1,072 less in West Virginia$106,424$107,496
$250,000$13,737$11,115$2,622 less in West Virginia$169,445$172,067

Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.

Married filing jointly

IncomeNJ state taxWV state taxDifferenceNJ take-homeWV take-home
$75,000$1,400$2,584$1,184 less in New Jersey$63,223$62,039
$100,000$2,640$3,789$1,148 less in New Jersey$82,070$80,921
$150,000$5,405$6,199$793 less in New Jersey$117,780$116,986
$250,000$11,759$11,019$740 less in West Virginia$185,709$186,449

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, New Jersey is the lower-tax state up to roughly $82,500 of income, and West Virginia becomes the lower-tax state above that.

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

West Virginia (single filers)

2.22%Up to $10,000
2.96%$10,001 to $25,000
3.33%$25,001 to $40,000
4.44%$40,001 to $60,000
4.82%Over $60,000

Full details for each state: New Jersey income tax calculator and West Virginia income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.

New Jersey vs West Virginia FAQ

Which has lower income tax, New Jersey or West Virginia?+

New Jersey is lower at $75,000: $2,598 of state income tax versus $2,680 in West Virginia. At $150,000 it is $7,367 in New Jersey and $6,295 in West Virginia. For a single filer, New Jersey is the lower-tax state up to roughly $82,500 of income, and West Virginia becomes the lower-tax state above that.

How much more do I keep on $100,000 in New Jersey versus West Virginia?+

A single filer keeping $74,998 a year in New Jersey would keep $75,295 in West Virginia after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $297 a year, or $25 a month.

How do the New Jersey and West Virginia income tax systems differ?+

New Jersey uses progressive rates up to 10.75%; West Virginia uses progressive rates up to 4.82%.

Are local taxes included in this New Jersey vs West 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 West 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

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.