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Tax year 2026 · state vs state

New Jersey vs Wisconsin Income Tax Comparison (2026)

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $3 less state income tax a year in Wisconsin than in New Jersey, which is about $0 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $797 in favor of Wisconsin.

New Jersey: up to 10.75%Wisconsin: up to 7.65%Updated October 10, 2026

Compare New Jersey and Wisconsin 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.

1Wisconsin

Lowest

21.3%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$2,594
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$16,002
Net income (annual)
$58,998

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

Wisconsin

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,333
Monthly take-home$4,917

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 Wisconsin: how the two systems differ

New JerseyWisconsin
Wage income taxProgressive, 7 bracketsProgressive, 4 brackets
Top rate10.75%7.65%
Lowest rate1.4%3.5%
Deductions and credits (single)$1,000 personal exemption$13,960 standard deduction, $700 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 taxWI state taxDifferenceNJ take-homeWI take-home
$30,000$438$539$101 less in New Jersey$25,848$25,746
$40,000$683$979$296 less in New Jersey$33,638$33,341
$50,000$1,215$1,419$204 less in New Jersey$41,140$40,936
$60,000$1,768$1,859$91 less in New Jersey$48,622$48,531
$75,000$2,598$2,594$3 less in Wisconsin$58,995$58,998
$100,000$4,182$3,919$262 less in Wisconsin$74,998$75,261
$150,000$7,367$6,569$797 less in Wisconsin$106,424$107,222
$250,000$13,737$11,869$1,867 less in Wisconsin$169,445$171,313

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

Married filing jointly

IncomeNJ state taxWI state taxDifferenceNJ take-homeWI take-home
$75,000$1,400$1,920$520 less in New Jersey$63,223$62,702
$100,000$2,640$3,052$411 less in New Jersey$82,070$81,658
$150,000$5,405$5,702$296 less in New Jersey$117,780$117,483
$250,000$11,759$11,002$757 less in Wisconsin$185,709$186,466

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, Wisconsin is the lower-tax state up to roughly $25,000 of income, and New Jersey becomes the lower-tax state above that. The order flips again near $75,000, 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

Wisconsin (single filers)

3.5%Up to $15,110
4.4%$15,111 to $51,950
5.3%$51,951 to $332,720
7.65%Over $332,720

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

New Jersey vs Wisconsin FAQ

Which has lower income tax, New Jersey or Wisconsin?+

Wisconsin is lower at $75,000: $2,594 of state income tax versus $2,598 in New Jersey. At $150,000 it is $7,367 in New Jersey and $6,569 in Wisconsin. For a single filer, Wisconsin is the lower-tax state up to roughly $25,000 of income, and New Jersey becomes the lower-tax state above that. The order flips again near $75,000, so the better state depends on where your income falls.

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

A single filer keeping $74,998 a year in New Jersey would keep $75,261 in Wisconsin after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $262 a year, or $22 a month.

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

New Jersey uses progressive rates up to 10.75%; Wisconsin uses progressive rates up to 7.65%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.

Are local taxes included in this New Jersey vs Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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.