Side-by-side tax comparison between Massachusetts (5% top rate) and New Jersey (10.75% top rate).
| Salary | Massachusetts | New Jersey | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50K | $40,423 | $38,266 | −$2,156 | Massachusetts |
| $75K | $58,490 | $55,256 | −$3,234 | Massachusetts |
| $100K | $75,140 | $70,828 | −$4,313 | Massachusetts |
| $150K | $107,821 | $101,352 | −$6,469 | Massachusetts |
| $200K | $141,603 | $132,978 | −$8,625 | Massachusetts |
Massachusetts offers higher take-home pay at every salary level. Massachusetts's 5% top rate is more favorable than New Jersey's 10.75%. At $100K, the difference is $4,313/year — that’s $359/month.
However, cost of living matters. Massachusetts has a cost index of 118 while New Jersey is at 115. With similar costs of living, the tax difference is the main factor.