State Comparison

Delaware vs New Jersey

Side-by-side comparison of 16 financial metrics using documented public datasets and estimates, with sources listed below.

By StateCalc Updated

Overall Score

10
Delaware
DE
1 tied
of 16 metrics
5
New Jersey
NJ

Cost of Living

Cost of Living Index
DE: 101.7
NJ: 118.8
DE

Housing

Typical Home Value
DE: $412,000
NJ: $585,000
DE
2BR Fair Market Rent
DE: $1,675/mo
NJ: $2,282/mo
DE
Closing Costs
DE: 3.50%
NJ: 3.50%
Tie
Transfer Tax Rate
DE: 3.00%
NJ: 0.40%
NJ

Taxes

Property Tax Rate
DE: 0.54%
NJ: 1.88%
DE
Top Income Tax Rate
DE: 6.60%
NJ: 10.75%
DE
Sales Tax Rate
DE: 0.00%
NJ: 6.63%
DE
Top Capital Gains Rate
DE: 6.60%
NJ: 10.75%
DE

Income & Employment

Median Household Income
DE: $87,534
NJ: $104,294
NJ
Minimum Wage
DE: $15.00/hr
NJ: $15.92/hr
NJ
Max Unemployment Benefit
DE: $450/wk
NJ: $905/wk
NJ

Business

LLC Filing Fee
DE: $110
NJ: $125
DE
LLC Annual Fee
DE: $400
NJ: $75
NJ

Insurance & Living

Avg Car Insurance
DE: $1,462/yr
NJ: $1,573/yr
DE
Avg Home Insurance
DE: $1,196/yr
NJ: $1,551/yr
DE

Key Takeaways

  • 1

    Delaware leads in 10 of 16 financial metrics, making it the more favorable state overall.

  • 2

    Housing: Median home prices are $412,000 in Delaware vs $585,000 in New Jersey — a $173,000 difference.

  • 3

    Taxes: Delaware has a 6.6% top income tax rate while New Jersey has a 10.75% top rate. Property tax rates are 0.54% vs 1.88%.

  • 4

    Cost of Living: Delaware's index is 101.7 and New Jersey's is 118.8 (national average = 100).

Run the Numbers

Use our free calculators with real Delaware and New Jersey data to model your specific scenario.

Delaware Property Tax Calculator New Jersey Property Tax Calculator Delaware Paycheck Calculator New Jersey Paycheck Calculator Delaware Cost of Living Calculator New Jersey Cost of Living Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Delaware or New Jersey more affordable?

Delaware has a lower cost of living index (101.7) compared to New Jersey (118.8), where 100 is the national average. However, affordability depends on your specific situation — compare housing, taxes, and income together for a complete picture.

Which state has lower taxes — Delaware or New Jersey?

It depends on what you earn, spend, and own — the three rates below apply to different bases (income, purchases, and home value), so they cannot be added into a single burden figure. On the headline rates alone, Delaware is lower on more of them. Delaware has a 6.6% top income tax, 0% state sales tax, and a 0.54% effective property tax rate. New Jersey has a 10.75% top income tax, 6.625% state sales tax, and a 1.88% effective property tax rate.

What are housing costs in Delaware vs New Jersey?

The typical home value in Delaware is $412,000 compared to $585,000 in New Jersey (Zillow Home Value Index, June 2026). For renters, HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit — the 40th-percentile gross rent, not an average — is $1,675/month in Delaware vs $2,282/month in New Jersey.

Which state is better for starting a business — Delaware or New Jersey?

LLC filing costs are $110 in Delaware vs $125 in New Jersey, with annual fees of $400 and $75 respectively. Delaware's 6.6% top tax rate compared to New Jersey's 10.75% rate may also factor into your decision.

Should I move from Delaware to New Jersey?

It depends on your priorities. Delaware wins in 10 of 16 metrics we compared. Use our free calculators to model your specific financial scenario — including salary, property tax, and cost of living for each state.

Related Comparisons

New York vs New Jersey New Jersey vs Pennsylvania New Jersey vs Connecticut New Jersey vs Massachusetts Delaware vs Maryland

Comparing Delaware and New Jersey

When deciding between living in Delaware or New Jersey, the financial picture goes beyond just one metric. This comparison analyzes 16 key financial indicators drawn from the U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey), the Tax Foundation, HUD Fair Market Rents, Zillow's Home Value Index, the NAIC's insurance databases, the U.S. Department of Labor, C2ER's Cost of Living Index, and state agencies, to give you a comprehensive overview.

Delaware (DE) has a median household income of $87,534 with a cost of living index of 101.7. New Jersey (NJ) has a median household income of $104,294 with a cost of living index of 118.8. Income figures are Census ACS 1-year estimates (table B19013, 2024); the cost-of-living index is C2ER's Q1 2026 survey via MERIC, where 100 is the national average of surveyed cities.

These numbers are estimates. Individual circumstances vary based on location within each state, family size, profession, and lifestyle. Use our free Delaware calculator or New Jersey calculator to model your specific financial scenario.

Sources per metric are named in each row's note above. Last reviewed . Some values are estimates; consult a qualified professional for financial advice.