New Jersey
Among the top 1% of US states for lifestyle & connectivity.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade F, better than 4% of US states
WeatherWeather: grade D, better than 20% of US states
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade B+, better than 82% of US states
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade B+, better than 84% of US states
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade A+, better than 100% of US states
- top 3% for school quality
- top 6% for airport distance
- bottom 1% for property tax rate
New Jersey is a U.S. state with about 9,249,000 residents. It grades A+ for lifestyle & connectivity and F for affordability. Standout strengths include school quality, airport distance, and walkability. It rates lower on property tax rate and estimated total tax burden.
Official websitenj.gov (opens in new tab)
- The median home value in New Jersey is $418k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median household income in New Jersey is $98k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median gross rent in New Jersey is $2k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- New Jersey has a violent crime rate of 780/100k, per the FBI Uniform Crime Reports.
- The average one-way commute in New Jersey is 31 min, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$98k94th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$61kbetter than 16% of US states
Home Value$418k84th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$2kbetter than 10% of US states
Monthly Owner Costs$137kbetter than 29% of US states
Property Tax Rate2.23%better than 0% of US states
Income Tax10.61%better than 6% of US states
Sales Tax6.60%better than 58% of US states
Estimated total tax burden22.12%better than 0% of US states
Unemployment6.3%better than 16% of US states
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)32°F51st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)77°F57th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation48.9 in73rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall25.2 inbetter than 47% of US states
Sunny Days205 daysbetter than 24% of US states
Summer Humidity64°Fbetter than 45% of US states
Comfortable Days80 daysbetter than 44% of US states
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk94.4better than 12% of US states
Air Quality44 AQIbetter than 62% of US states
School Quality100.0better than 97% of US states
Violent Crime780/100kbetter than 92% of US states
Property Crime1327/100kbetter than 78% of US states
Community
Population9,249,06380th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age40.378th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.5688th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9731st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningD+1924th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)53.0%20th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)12.4%69th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)21.2%84th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)9.8%96th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)3.6%25th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time31 minbetter than 4% of US states
Walkability11.6/20better than 92% of US states
Airport Distance23 mibetter than 94% of US states
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access90.6%better than 86% of US states
Amenities Nearby8.45better than 92% of US states
Park & Nature AccessGoodbetter than 61% of US states
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)
Frequently asked questions
- Is New Jersey an affordable place to live?
- New Jersey is relatively expensive. Its cost-of-living index is $61k, better than 16% of comparable areas. Median rent is $2k.
- Is New Jersey safe?
- New Jersey is safer than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 780/100k (better than 92%). Property crime is 1327/100k.
- What is the weather like in New Jersey?
- New Jersey averages 77°F in July and 32°F in January, with 48.9 in of annual precipitation and about 205 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in New Jersey?
- Public-school quality in New Jersey is above average, scoring better than 97% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in New Jersey?
- The average one-way commute in New Jersey is 31 min.