New Jersey residents face one of the higher state income tax burdens in the US on CD interest — roughly 1.4% to 10.75%, depending on bracket. The best CD rates available to NJ residents reach approximately 4.44% APY through FDIC-insured online banks, but the state’s high tax rates mean that Treasury bills (exempt from NJ state income tax) are worth comparing carefully.

Rates shown are as of September 2026 and change frequently. Verify current rates directly with the institution before opening.

Best CD Rates Available to New Jersey Residents (September 2026)

Institution Type 12-Month APY Min. Deposit
Online banks (top-rate) Online 4.30–4.44% $0–$10,000
Columbia Bank NJ community bank 3.25–3.75% $1,000
Provident Bank NJ community bank 3.25–3.75% $1,000
Garden State Federal Credit Union NJ credit union 3.25–3.75% $500
Traditional big banks National bank 0.01–1.00% $1,000+

New Jersey State Income Tax on CD Interest

New Jersey uses a progressive income tax structure ranging from roughly 1.4% at the lowest bracket to 10.75% at the highest. Confirm the current-year bracket thresholds at nj.gov/treasury/taxation, since exact dollar cutoffs are subject to periodic adjustment.

Illustrative after-tax yield on a 4.35% CD for a typical NJ resident in the ~6.37% bracket (22% federal + 6.37% NJ):

  • Total marginal rate: ~28.37%
  • After-tax yield: ~3.12%

T-Bills vs. CDs for New Jersey Residents

Treasury bill interest is exempt from New Jersey state income tax.

12-Month CD (top rate) 1-Year Treasury
Gross yield ~4.35% ~4.37% (per Fed H.15, Sept 14, 2026)
Federal taxable Yes Yes
NJ state taxable (~6.37%, illustrative) Yes No
After-tax yield (22% federal + 6.37% NJ) ~3.12% ~3.41% (federal-only)

At a ~6.37% state tax bracket, the Treasury’s after-tax yield is meaningfully higher than the CD’s. For NJ residents in higher brackets, the Treasury advantage widens further.

What $10,000 Earns at Top Available NJ Rates

Term APY (top rate) Gross Interest After-Tax (22% federal + 6.37% NJ, illustrative)
6 months 4.25% ~$210 ~$151
12 months 4.35% ~$435 ~$312
2 years 4.35% ~$889 ~$637

Figures use the APY compounding convention: A = P(1+APY)^years.

Notable New Jersey Options

  • Columbia Bank — Fair Lawn-based NJ community bank; competitive CD rates for NJ/northern NJ area customers
  • Provident Bank — Jersey City-based; branch network across NJ with relationship pricing
  • Lakeland Bank — Oak Ridge-based; northern NJ community bank

For most NJ residents, online banks and Treasuries (especially for higher-income earners) provide better returns than NJ community bank CDs.

WealthVieu
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