Bottom line: The two states are close on state income tax - the difference on a $75,000 salary is under $500/year.
| Salary (single) | New Jersey tax | Pennsylvania tax | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $1,270 | $1,535 | Pay $265 more |
| $75,000 | $2,651 | $2,303 | Save $348 |
| $100,000 | $4,244 | $3,070 | Save $1,174 |
| $150,000 | $7,429 | $4,605 | Save $2,824 |
| $250,000 | $13,799 | $7,675 | Save $6,124 |
New Jersey: New Jersey does not have a standard deduction but offers personal exemptions. It has high property taxes, making SALT deductions significant.
Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania has a flat 3.07% rate and does not allow a standard deduction. Local earned income taxes also apply in most jurisdictions.
Your state income tax is set by where you are a resident, not where your employer is. To stop paying New Jersey tax you must genuinely establish residency in Pennsylvania - register to vote, change your driver's license and car registration, move your primary home, and spend more than half the year there. High-tax states like New Jersey audit departing high earners, so keep records of your move date.
In the year you move you typically file a part-year resident return in both states: New Jersey taxes income earned while you lived there, Pennsylvania taxes the rest. Remote workers should note that a handful of states tax income sourced to the state even for non-residents - check before assuming a clean break.
Pennsylvania has a flat state income tax of 3.07%.
On a $75,000 single-filer salary, the state income tax difference is about $348/year (in your favor). Use the calculator for your exact income.
Once you establish residency in Pennsylvania and break New Jersey residency, new income is taxed by Pennsylvania. New Jersey can still tax income earned while you were a resident - file a part-year return for the move year.
New Jersey tax calculator · Pennsylvania tax calculator · Paycheck calculator
Estimates use 2026 state brackets and the standard deduction for a single filer; they exclude local taxes, credits and federal tax. Verify with a tax professional before relocating.