New Jersey
Very High tax burden · COL index 121
Wins 4 categories
Iowa
Moderate tax burden · COL index 88
Wins 8 categories
New Jersey's top income tax rate is 10.75% vs Iowa's 3.8%. Cost of living in New Jersey (index 121) runs 38% higher than Iowa (index 88). Property taxes are meaningfully different: New Jersey averages 2.13% annually vs Iowa's 1.42%. The median home in New Jersey costs $500K vs $215K in Iowa.
Taxes
Housing & Cost of Living
Crime & Safety
Healthcare
Education
Childcare
Utilities & Daily Costs
Social Policy
Category wins
4
New Jersey
8
Iowa
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