Compare states / New York
NY
Compare New York with other states
New York is the 4th-most populous state, with about 20.0 million residents and 424 people per square mile. Its top income-tax rate of 10.9% is the 3rd-highest among the 50 states; its average combined sales tax of 8.54% is the 10th-highest nationally. Housing is expensive: the median home value of $513,450 is the 9th-highest in the country. Its 180 state parks are the most of any state.
Data: New York (tax.ny.gov, dmv.ny.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes and housing
| State income tax | 4%–10.9% state; NYC adds local tax |
|---|---|
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 8.54% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 1.30% 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 | 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. |
| Inheritance tax | No state inheritance tax. |
| Minimum wage | $17.00 in New York City, Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester. $16.00 in the remainder of the state. |
| Median home value | $513,450 |
Car title and license
| Tax on buying/titling a car | 8.00% |
|---|---|
| Title fee | $50.00 |
| Registration (base) | $108.00 |
| Car inspection | Annual safety + emissions |
| Nurse license from another state | Usually need a new state license |
Parks and people
| State parks | 180 |
|---|---|
| National parks | 0 |
| Population | 20,003,435 |
| Population density | 424.0 per sq mi |
| Demographics | 54.1% White (non-Hispanic) 19.5% Hispanic 17.5% Black 9.0% Asian |
| Violent crime | 380.2 per 100,000 |
Estimated income tax in New York
Uses 2026 single-filer tax brackets (top listed rate 10.9%) after a per-dependent exemption. Not your actual tax bill.
Estimate car title cost in New York
Uses this state’s title fee, plate, base registration, and 8.00% tax. County extras are not included.
Your move
Your to-do list in New York
- Get an NY driver license within 30 days. Bring your current license, Social Security number, and two proofs you live in New York.
- Title and register the car within 30 days. Inspection: Annual safety + emissions.
- Make sure car insurance meets 25/50/10.
- Register to vote. New York elections site.
- Nurse license: New York is not in the nurse compact. Plan on a new NY RN application — a compact license typically does not carry over.
- Enrolling a kindergartner? Kindergarten age cutoff in New York: December 1 (districts may vary). Compare kindergarten cutoffs by state.
How New York compares
Alaska does not tax wages. New York’s top listed rate is 10.9% (4%–10.9% state; NYC adds local tax).
Use the picker above for any other state. Published comparison pages that include New York 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 York does not tax Social Security benefits (NY tax agency).
- Estate tax. New York estate tax.
- Inheritance tax. New York has no state inheritance tax (NY tax agency).
- Minimum wage. New York $16.00 / $17.00 NYC.
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax on buying/titling a car. New York 8.00%.
- State parks. New York 180. 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; NY 0).
- Population / density. U.S. Census Bureau, state population estimates · PopClock people per sq. mi..
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (NY).
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Days to get a license. New York 30 days.
- Days to title a car. New York 30 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled