California vs New Jersey Taxes: Take-Home Pay Compared (2026)
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $122 more a year in New Jersey than in California ($10 a month).
California
1% - 13.3% state income tax
$58,817
take-home on $75,000 · $4,901/month
26th of 51 states for take-home pay
California paycheck calculator ›New Jersey
1.4% - 10.75% state income tax
$58,939
take-home on $75,000 · $4,912/month
23rd of 51 states for take-home pay
New Jersey paycheck calculator ›Take-home pay in California and New Jersey by salary
| Salary | California | New Jersey | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $33,737 | $33,602 | $135 more in California |
| $50,000 | $41,315 | $41,084 | $231 more in California |
| $60,000 | $48,750 | $48,566 | $184 more in California |
| $75,000 | $58,817 | $58,939 | $122 more in New Jersey |
| $100,000 | $74,125 | $74,934 | $809 more in New Jersey |
| $125,000 | $89,323 | $90,865 | $1,542 more in New Jersey |
| $150,000 | $104,086 | $106,360 | $2,274 more in New Jersey |
| $200,000 | $134,572 | $138,311 | $3,739 more in New Jersey |
Single filer, standard deduction, no local tax. To match $75,000 in California you would need about $74,800 in New Jersey; to match $75,000 in New Jersey you would need about $75,200 in California.
How California and New Jersey tax wages
| 2026 | California | New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax | 10 brackets from 1% to 13.3% | 7 brackets from 1.4% to 10.75% |
| Top rate | 13.3% | 10.75% |
| Standard deduction | $5,706 single | None (exemptions or credits only) |
| State tax on $75k | $2,775 (3.7%) | $2,653 (3.5%) |
| Local wage taxes | No | No |
| Reciprocity | None | Pennsylvania |
California vs New Jersey: FAQ
Does California or New Jersey have lower income taxes in 2026?
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $122 more a year in New Jersey than in California ($10 a month). California has 10 brackets from 1% to 13.3% for 2026. For single filers the top 13.3% rate starts at $1,000,000 of taxable income. New Jersey has 7 brackets from 1.4% to 10.75% for 2026. For single filers the top 10.75% rate starts at $1,000,000 of taxable income.
What salary in New Jersey equals $75,000 in California?
To take home the same $58,817 that $75,000 leaves in California, you would need about $74,800 in New Jersey, based on income, payroll, and state taxes only. Housing and other living costs are not included.
How much more do high earners keep in New Jersey than in California?
At $150,000 the gap is $2,274 a year: $104,086 in California versus $106,360 in New Jersey. Progressive brackets make the difference grow faster as income rises.
What if I live in California and work in New Jersey?
California and New Jersey do not have a reciprocity agreement, so New Jersey withholds tax on wages earned there and California generally gives residents a credit for tax paid to the other state. You effectively pay the higher of the two rates.