The key to more economic equality in New England when compared to the Chesapeake colonies was that New England had more

New England had more economic diversity, skilled workers, and industry.

Explanation:

New England developed a more diverse, industrial economy. In the South, plantations dominated as farmers grew cash crops. This led to wealth concentrated in the hands of a few plantation owners, while poor farmers and slaves worked the fields. By contrast, in the North most people were skilled workers or artisans and there was less inequality between employer and employee.