NY, NJ listed among America's top 5 states to live in, but which is best? (2024)

FAQs

NY, NJ listed among America's top 5 states to live in, but which is best? ›

The answer would be the Garden State. New Jersey was ranked #2 on WalletHub's list, ranked as the safest state in the nation, also earning high marks for education and health (5th) and qualify of life (7th). New York followed right behind at #3, taking the top spot for quality of life and finishing second in safety.

Rankings Scorecard

The home of native musical legends such as Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Frank Sinatra and Whitney Houston, New Jersey is known for more than producing popular hit-makers. It has world-class universities, leading technology and biological science firms and one fast turnpike.

A new study by WalletHub shows what many already know about New Jersey – the Garden State is one of the best states to live in 2023. New Jersey ranked No. 2 of best states to live with Massachusetts snagging the No. 1 spot.

Researchers at the personal finance publication ranked the 50 states based on scores in five categories: affordability, economy, education and health, quality of life, and safety. Massachusetts topped 2023's list, scoring 61 out of 100. New Jersey came in second.

Benefits of living in New Jersey

New Jersey is generally more affordable than New York City when it comes to housing, groceries, and other expenses. And this is, of course, the main reason for commuting to work. So, overall living costs are 53.3% higher in NYC than in NJ. The rent is 57.9% higher in NYC.

New York was actually best in quality of life and 2nd in safety, WalletHub found, but fell a little bit in education and health (16th). Both states finished on the lower end in economy (NJ was 39th, NY was 37th) and, unsurprisingly, affordability (NJ was 48th, NY was 46th).

New Jersey was ranked #2 on WalletHub's list, ranked as the safest state in the nation, also earning high marks for education and health (5th) and qualify of life (7th). New York followed right behind at #3, taking the top spot for quality of life and finishing second in safety.

If you're thinking of relocating this year, consider New Hampshire, Wyoming, Virginia, Rhode Island and Wisconsin, which lead the most recent list of the best states to move to, according to immigration law experts Shoreline Immigration.

A: Ho-Ho-Kus, Hoboken, and Jersey City in North Jersey are among the best places to live in New Jersey. They are all wonderful cities in their own right, but they're especially great commuter hubs if you work in New York.

What are the 3 best states? ›

The cheapest states to live in are Mississippi, Oklahoma, Kansas, Alabama, Georgia, Missouri, Iowa, Indiana, West Virginia, and Tennessee. Mississippi is the cheapest state to live in in the US, with a cost of living index of 85. The second cheapest state to live in is Oklahoma, with a cost of living index of 85.8.

Besides rent being cheaper, you will enjoy lower taxes if you relocate to NJ. For instance, in NJ, the sales tax is about 3.5%, while it's 8.5% in NY. There is no sales tax on clothes, which is excellent for fashion enthusiasts. This is unimaginable compared to the expensive clothes stores in NY.

New Yorkers have increasingly been moving to New Jersey, particularly to cities such as Jersey City and Hoboken on the Hudson seeking slightly cheaper rents.

New York has some of the highest quality of life scores, and in WalletHub's latest rankings, the state ranked 10th ahead of New Jersey's 35th position. The state's incredible infrastructure and public resources give its residents a high quality of life and that's the key reason it's a better retirement destination.

One of the most significant advantages of living in New Jersey is its prime location. It's a stone's throw away from New York City and Philadelphia, making it an ideal choice for those who work in these bustling metropolises but prefer a quieter, suburban lifestyle.

New Jersey is among the safest U.S. states

This can be attributed to the smaller and more hom*ogenous populations of many New England states as well as the generally highly rated education systems and high median incomes, according to Forbes Advisor.

The high quality of life. Without question, one of the best things about living in New Jersey is the high quality of life. Low crime rates, low stress and a booming job market, what's not to love? But don't just take my word for it, New Jersey was recently ranked as the 5th happiest state in the country.