The most accurate comparison of the economies of the Southern and New England colonies is:
The economy of the Southern colonies relied on growing cash crops, while the economy of the New England colonies relied on trade.
The Southern colonies were known for their agricultural economy, focusing on the cultivation of cash crops such as tobacco, rice, and indigo, often using enslaved labor on large plantations. Conversely, the New England colonies had a more diverse economy that included trade, fishing, shipbuilding, and small-scale farming, supported by their coastal location and access to maritime resources.