Compare states / New York → New Jersey
NY → NJ
Compare New York and New Jersey
Top income-tax rates are close (10.9% in New York, 10.75% in New Jersey), and the bracket estimate on $120,000 of single-filer income is $6,512 versus $5,518 a year. The median home in New Jersey is valued at $576,610, about 12% more than New York’s $513,450. New York has the higher average combined sales tax (8.54% vs 6.60%), while New Jersey has the higher effective property-tax rate (1.88% vs 1.30%). New York levies its own estate tax; New Jersey does not.
Moving the other way (New Jersey to New York)? The same numbers apply—swap the columns.
Deadlines and checklists on this page are for arriving in New Jersey; for New York, see the New York page.
Data: New York (tax.ny.gov, dmv.ny.gov); New Jersey (nj.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes, housing, and other important data at a glance
| New York | New Jersey | |
|---|---|---|
| Top state income-tax rate | 10.9% | 10.75% |
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 8.54% | 6.60% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 1.30% | 1.88% |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | No | No |
| Social Security tax | No | No |
| Estate tax | Yes — $7.35M exemption | No |
| Inheritance tax | No | Yes — 11–16% (Class C/D) |
| Minimum wage | $16.00 / $17.00 NYC | $15.92 |
| Median home value | $513,450 | $576,610 |
| Tax when you title a car | 8.00% | 6.62% |
| State parks | 180 | 41 |
| National parks | 0 | 0 |
| Population density | 424.0/sq mi | 1,304.0/sq mi |
| Violent crime per 100,000 | 380.2 | 217.7 |
| Demographics | 54.1% White (non-Hispanic) 19.5% Hispanic 17.5% Black 9.0% Asian | 52.0% White (non-Hispanic) 21.5% Hispanic 15.0% Black 10.0% Asian |
| Days to get a license | 30 | 30 |
| Days to title a car | 30 | 60 |
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from New York to New Jersey?
New York: 4%–10.9% state; NYC adds local tax. New Jersey: Top listed rate 10.75%. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket estimate is $6,512 in New York vs $5,518 in New Jersey. If you earned in both states this year, see NY tax agency and NJ tax agency.
Estimate your state income tax in New York and New Jersey
This uses 2026 single-filer brackets (top listed 10.9% vs 10.75%), minus a $4,300 exemption per dependent. It is not your actual tax bill.
Vehicle title, registration, and tax in New Jersey
New residents of New Jersey typically have 60 days to title and register. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally. The title-tax rate used here is 6.62%. On a $28,000 vehicle, estimated state charges are $1,971.50 (tax $1,855.00 + title $60.00 + registration $46.50 + plate $10.00). County and weight fees are omitted on purpose.
Estimate what you’ll pay to title the car in New Jersey
Title fee + plate + base registration + 6.62% tax. County extras are not included.
Driver’s license in New Jersey
After you become a New Jersey resident, you typically have 30 days to get a New Jersey driver license. Bring your New York license, Social Security number, and proof you live in New Jersey. Agencies often ask for two proofs; the exact list is on the official New Jersey DMV. New York plates are not a substitute for New Jersey registration once the title clock runs out.
New-resident checklist: New York to New Jersey
- Get an NJ driver license within 30 days. Bring your NY license, Social Security number, and proof you live in New Jersey (agencies often ask for two proofs; use the official New Jersey DMV list).
- Title and register the car within 60 days. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally.
- Make sure car insurance meets 25/50/25.
- Register to vote. Typical close: 15 days before an election. New Jersey elections site.
- If you earned money in both states this year, you may need to file in both. NY tax agency · NJ tax agency.
- New Jersey is in the nurse compact; New York is not. You may still need an NJ license if you change primary residence.
Biggest differences in moving from New York to New Jersey
- New Jersey has no state estate tax. New York does (Yes — $7.35M exemption).
- New Jersey taxes some heirs (Yes — 11–16% (Class C/D)). New York has no state inheritance tax.
- Title the car in New Jersey within 60 days. New York plates are not a substitute once that clock runs.
- New Jersey is in the nurse compact; New York is not. You may still need an NJ license if you change primary residence.
- New residents of New Jersey typically have 30 days to get a driver license (in New York, the window is 30 days).
Common questions
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from New York to New Jersey?
The top listed rate goes down: 10.9% in New York vs 10.75% in New Jersey. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket estimate is $6,512 in New York vs $5,518 in New Jersey. Actual bills depend on income, filing status, local tax, credits, and residency timing. This uses 2026 single-filer brackets after a $4,300 exemption per dependent.
Does New Jersey drop the state estate tax I would have in New York?
New York: Yes — $7.35M exemption. For deaths in 2026, New York’s basic exclusion is $7,350,000. The credit phases out if the estate is more than 105% of the exclusion, so estates just over that line can owe tax on the full taxable estate. New Jersey: No. No state estate tax. Federal estate tax can still apply in either state.
Does New Jersey have an inheritance tax that New York does not?
New York: No. No state inheritance tax. New Jersey: Yes — 11–16% (Class C/D). New Jersey repealed its estate tax for deaths on or after January 1, 2018. Inheritance tax still applies. Class A (spouse, civil union partner, child, grandchild, parent, grandparent) is exempt. Class C (sibling, son- or daughter-in-law) is taxed at 11% to 16% after a $25,000 exemption. Class D (other heirs) is taxed at 15% to 16% after a $500 exemption. Charities (Class E) are exempt. Inheritance tax is paid by the heir; estate tax is paid by the estate.
Can I keep a compact RN license if I move from New York to New Jersey?
New Jersey is in the nurse compact; New York is not. You may still need an NJ license if you change primary residence.
How does population density in New Jersey compare to New York?
Population density is 424.0 people per square mile in New York vs 1,304.0 in New Jersey.
How does sales tax in New Jersey compare to New York?
Average combined sales tax (state + local) is 8.54% in New York vs 6.60% in New Jersey. City and county add-ons vary; this is a statewide average.
How does property tax in New Jersey compare with New York?
Effective real-estate property tax: 1.30% in New York vs 1.88% in New Jersey.
Related moves
Also see New Jersey and New York on their own. Moving from New Jersey to New York instead? This page covers that move too; use “Swap columns” at the top.
New York → Florida · New Jersey → Florida · New York → North Carolina · New York → Texas · New York → Pennsylvania
Your move
Sources
Compiled 2026. Statewide figures; counties can differ.
- Top state income-tax rate. Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026.
- Average sales tax (state + local). Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, January 2026.
- Average property tax (real estate). Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County, 2026.
- Personal property tax (vehicles). WalletHub, Property Taxes by State, 2026 (vehicle table).
- Social Security tax. New York does not tax Social Security benefits (NY tax agency); New Jersey does not tax Social Security benefits (NJ tax agency).
- Estate tax. New York estate tax; New Jersey has no state estate tax (NJ tax agency).
- Inheritance tax. New York has no state inheritance tax (NY tax agency); New Jersey inheritance tax.
- Minimum wage. New York $16.00 / $17.00 NYC; New Jersey $15.92.
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax when you title a car. New York 8.00%; New Jersey 6.62%.
- State parks. New York 180; New Jersey 41. Official designated state parks (historic sites, recreation areas, and similar units omitted).
- National parks. National Park Service, National Park System (units designated National Park on the National Park Service system list; parks that sit in more than one state are counted in each; NY 0, NJ 0).
- Population density. U.S. Census Bureau PopClock, people per sq. mi. · state population estimates.
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (NY vs NJ: White non-Hispanic, Hispanic, Black, Asian).
- Days to get a license. New York 30 days; New Jersey 30 days.
- Days to title a car. New York 30 days; New Jersey 60 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled