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)
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$3kbetter than 4% of US states
Property Tax Rate2.23%better than 1% 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 1% 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
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.
- What is the median home value in New Jersey?
- The median home value in New Jersey is $418k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in New Jersey?
- Median household income in New Jersey is $98k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in New Jersey?
- Median gross rent in New Jersey is $2k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- 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.
Best places to live in New Jersey
Top cities in New Jersey
Counties in New Jersey
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)