Compare states / New Jersey
NJ
Compare New Jersey with other states
New Jersey, home to about 9.6 million people, is the most densely populated state at 1,304 people per square mile. Its top income-tax rate of 10.75% is the 4th-highest among the 50 states; its effective property-tax rate of 1.88% is tied for the highest nationally. Housing is expensive: the median home value of $576,610 is the 5th-highest in the country. It is one of only 5 states with an inheritance tax.
Data: New Jersey (nj.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes and housing
| State income tax | Top listed rate 10.75% |
|---|---|
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 6.60% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 1.88% effective |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | No annual vehicle personal-property tax |
| Social Security tax | Not taxed. The state exempts Social Security benefits from income tax. |
| Estate tax | No state estate tax. |
| Inheritance tax | New Jersey repealed its estate tax for deaths on or after January 1, 2018.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. |
| Minimum wage | Most employers $15.92. Employers with fewer than 6 employees, or seasonal employment, $15.23. |
| Median home value | $576,610 |
Car title and license
| Tax on buying/titling a car | 6.62% |
|---|---|
| Title fee | $60.00 |
| Registration (base) | $46.50 |
| Car inspection | Varies by county — confirm locally |
| Nurse license from another state | Usually transfers (compact) |
Parks and people
| State parks | 41 |
|---|---|
| National parks | 0 |
| Population | 9,590,076 |
| Population density | 1,304.0 per sq mi |
| Demographics | 52.0% White (non-Hispanic) 21.5% Hispanic 15.0% Black 10.0% Asian |
| Violent crime | 217.7 per 100,000 |
Estimated income tax in New Jersey
Uses 2026 single-filer tax brackets (top listed rate 10.75%) after a per-dependent exemption. Not your actual tax bill.
Estimate car title cost in New Jersey
Uses this state’s title fee, plate, base registration, and 6.62% tax. County extras are not included.
Your move
Your to-do list in New Jersey
- Get an NJ driver license within 30 days. Bring your current license, Social Security number, and two proofs you live in New Jersey.
- 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. New Jersey elections site.
- Nurse license: New Jersey is in the nurse compact, so a compact RN license often still works. Confirm with the board of nursing if you are changing primary residence.
- Enrolling a kindergartner? Kindergarten age cutoff in New Jersey: District sets date (often Oct 1). Compare kindergarten cutoffs by state.
How New Jersey compares
Alaska does not tax wages. New Jersey’s top listed rate is 10.75% (Top listed rate 10.75%).
Use the picker above for any other state. Published comparison pages that include New Jersey are listed here.
Sources
Compiled 2026. Statewide figures; counties can differ.
- State income tax. 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 Jersey does not tax Social Security benefits (NJ tax agency).
- Estate tax. New Jersey has no state estate tax (NJ tax agency).
- Inheritance tax. New Jersey inheritance tax.
- Minimum wage. New Jersey $15.92.
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax on buying/titling a car. New Jersey 6.62%.
- State parks. New Jersey 41. Official designated state parks.
- 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; NJ 0).
- Population / density. U.S. Census Bureau, state population estimates · PopClock people per sq. mi..
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (NJ).
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Days to get a license. New Jersey 30 days.
- Days to title a car. New Jersey 60 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled