New Jersey vs Pennsylvania: Take-Home Pay Compared
On a $100,000 salary you take home $74,390 in New Jersey and $76,040 in Pennsylvania. That's $1,650 more per year ($138 a month) after moving to Pennsylvania.
| New Jersey | Pennsylvania | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | $13,170 | $13,170 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare | $7,650 | $7,650 | $0 |
| State income tax | $4,180 | $3,070 | -$1,110 |
| State payroll & local tax | $610 | $70 | -$540 |
| Take-home pay / year | $74,390 | $76,040 | $1,650 |
| Take-home / month | $6,199 | $6,337 | $138 |
| Total tax rate | 25.6% | 24.0% | -1.7% |
To match your New Jersey take-home pay, you would need about $97,500 in Pennsylvania.
New Jersey vs Pennsylvania at every salary
Single filer, 2026 tax year, no pre-tax deductions. Difference is Pennsylvania minus New Jersey.
| Salary | New Jersey | Pennsylvania | Yearly difference | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $33,300 | $33,064 | -$236 | -$20 |
| $50,000 | $40,740 | $40,785 | $45 | $4 |
| $60,000 | $48,180 | $48,506 | $326 | $27 |
| $75,000 | $58,491 | $59,238 | $746 | $62 |
| $100,000 | $74,390 | $76,040 | $1,650 | $138 |
| $125,000 | $90,216 | $92,779 | $2,563 | $214 |
| $150,000 | $105,606 | $109,081 | $3,475 | $290 |
| $200,000 | $137,468 | $142,647 | $5,179 | $432 |
| $250,000 | $168,538 | $175,332 | $6,794 | $566 |
Why the difference?
Federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare are identical in both states, so the gap comes entirely from state-level taxes. New Jersey has income tax rates from 1.40% to 10.75%, while Pennsylvania has a flat 3.07% income tax. New Jersey also withholds NJ disability insurance (TDI) and NJ family leave insurance (FLI) and NJ unemployment & workforce (UI/WF/SWF). Pennsylvania also withholds PA unemployment compensation.
Income tax is only part of the picture: states without an income tax often rely more on sales and property taxes, and housing costs vary far more than taxes do. Use this comparison for your paycheck, then weigh it against rent or mortgage costs in the cities you are considering.
Commuting across the line instead of moving? Read how taxes work when you live in one state and work in another. See the full breakdowns in the New Jersey paycheck calculator and the Pennsylvania paycheck calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pennsylvania cheaper than New Jersey for taxes?
For wage earners, Pennsylvania takes less of your paycheck. On a $100,000 salary a single filer keeps $1,650 more per year in Pennsylvania than in New Jersey ($138 per month). New Jersey has income tax rates from 1.40% to 10.75%; Pennsylvania has a flat 3.07% income tax.
How much is $100,000 in New Jersey worth in Pennsylvania?
To take home the same $74,390 you net on $100,000 in New Jersey, you would need a salary of about $97,500 in Pennsylvania.
How much will I save moving from New Jersey to Pennsylvania?
In income and payroll taxes, about $746 per year at $75,000, $1,650 at $100,000, and $3,475 at $150,000 (negative numbers mean you pay more in Pennsylvania). Sales, property, and housing costs are not included.