New Jersey vs West Virginia: taxes, cost of living, laws

New Jersey

High tax burden · COL index 121

Wins 4 categories

West Virginia

Moderate tax burden · COL index 82

Wins 10 categories

New Jersey's top income tax rate is 10.75% vs West Virginia's 5.12%. Cost of living in New Jersey (index 121) runs 48% higher than West Virginia (index 82). Property taxes are meaningfully different: New Jersey averages 2.13% annually vs West Virginia's 0.57%. The median home in New Jersey costs $500K vs $155K in West Virginia.

New Jersey

West Virginia

Taxes

10.75%

Income Tax (top rate)

5.12%

2.13%/yr

Property Tax Rate

0.57%/yr

6.6%

Sales Tax (avg)

6.37%

Yes

Social Security Tax

Yes

Estate Tax

Yes

As income

Capital Gains Tax

As income

Housing & Cost of Living

121

COL Index (100=avg)

$500K

Median Home Price

$155K

$2,200/mo

Median Rent (2BR/mo)

$900/mo

$1K/yr

Home Insurance (avg/yr)

$1K/yr

Crime & Safety

213

Violent Crime / 100K

278

1,368

Property Crime / 100K

1,380

Sex Offenders / 100K

356

134

Homeless / 100K

101

Healthcare

#19 of 50

Healthcare Quality Rank

#46 of 50

79 yrs

Life Expectancy

71.9 yrs

6.8%

Uninsured Rate

6.6%

Yes

Medicaid Expansion

Yes

Education

#2 of 50

K-12 Quality Rank

#49 of 50

School Choice / Vouchers

Yes

Childcare

$1,800/mo

Avg Infant Care / mo

$850/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$155/mo

Avg Energy Bill / mo

$125/mo

$640/mo

Avg Groceries / mo

$400/mo

#44 of 50

Road Quality Rank

#45 of 50

Social Policy

Gun Laws Grade

D+6.0

2024 Presidential Margin

R+36.0

Category wins

New Jersey

West Virginia

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