5 Pros and Cons of Living in New Jersey

If you’re interested in moving to New Jersey, but aren’t sure if the state is right for you, check out our list of pros and cons of living in New Jersey.

In this guide, we cover the top pros and cons of living in New Jersey, along with insights on the job market, schools, safety, and the cost of living.

Note: We used internal Apartment List data and cross-referenced with neighborhood data from Rent.com to give you the most accurate snapshot of rents across our New Jersey neighborhood picks as of September 2025. Crime grades are from CrimeGrade.org, and school ratings are from Niche.com.

Key Insights

• New Jersey’s median rent across all rental units is $1,976, with the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment at $1,687, and for a two-bedroom apartment at $2,094.
• The state's cost of living is 19.8% higher than the national average.
• New Jersey has an A+ crime grade.
• Home to world-class education institutes such as Princeton University and Rutgers University - New Brunswick.

Quick Facts About New Jersey

Pros & Cons of Living in New Jersey

1. Pro: Close to Major Cities

New Jersey is close to two of the U.S.’s major cities: New York and Philadelphia. Many NJ residents see this as a huge benefit because they can enjoy everything the big city has to offer, without paying to live in the city.

You can trend Broadway shows, get your fill of designer shopping, and eat at Michelin-starred restaurants, while still driving home to your cozy home in New Jersey.

2. Con: High Cost of Living & High Property Taxes

When considering a move to New Jersey, be aware of the state's high cost of living, which is 19.8% higher than the national average. In Newark, NJ, the cost of living is 35% higher than the national average, and in Princeton, it is 4.6% higher than the national average.

Housing accounts for the most significant contributor to higher expenses, which Best Places estimates to be around 34.4% higher than the national average.

If you’re moving from renting to buying, property taxes are another cost that’s higher than in many other states. New Jersey residents pay a property tax rate of 2.33% and the median property tax payment in the state is over $9,300 per year.

3. Pro: Nature & Beautiful Beaches

New Jersey has 130 miles of beaches, which is a huge draw for residents and also for tourism. In the summer, you can enjoy as many beach days as you want, and in the winter, you can participate in polar plunges at the seaside.

New Jersey also has bays, lakes, and rivers for nature lovers to explore, and there are 58+ national and state parks. High Point State Park, Cape May Point State Park, and Stokes State Forest are excellent destinations for hiking and exploration.

4. Con: Freezing Winters & Coastal Storms

If bad weather and cold winters aren’t appealing, you may want to consider moving to a different state. New Jersey experiences many days with temperatures below freezing in winter, and the combination of snow and ice can make it challenging to drive.

Storms along the coast can also cause flooding, which is particularly harmful to areas with low-lying landscapes. Coastal communities are often at risk of damage, such as flooding, and insurance prices may come at a premium.

5. Pro: Great Diversity & a Foodie Paradise

New Jersey may not strike you as a melting pot, but it’s home to a wide range of cultures and people from around the world. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the state’s diverse population includes 10.7% Asian, 12.9% Black or African American, 23.5% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% other race, and 12.1% two or more races.

One of the most popular cuisines in NJ is Italian-American food, and you can eat your way through pizzerias, trattorias, and family-run restaurants. Other top cuisines include Cuban, Indian, Chinese, and different types of Middle Eastern cuisines.

Is New Jersey a Good Place to Live?

Yes, New Jersey is a great place to live for those seeking proximity to major cities, a coastline full of beaches, and ethnically diverse cuisine. One-bedroom apartments cost a median of about $1,687, while two-bedroom apartments cost $2,094.

Median rent prices sit above the national median rate, but renters can shop around and find smaller towns or areas with lower median rents.

What’s It Like Living in New Jersey?

New Jersey offers residents access to beautiful nature, including parks and beaches, and proximity to big city perks. On the weekend, residents can visit a vineyard, brewery, or distillery to grab a drink with friends, head to Cape May for a beach weekend, or catch a whale and dolphin watching cruise.

New Jersey’s unique cities and towns cater to different lifestyles: Hoboken and Jersey City put renters right across the river from Manhattan with walkable streets and easy transit. Montclair and Princeton offer cultural scenes and strong schools. Shore towns like Asbury Park and Long Branch provide a mix of beach life and year-round community. While traffic, property taxes, and rising demand pose challenges, many residents feel New Jersey’s mix of urban access, small-town charm, and coastal escapes makes it worth the trade-offs.

What’s the Culture Like in New Jersey?

New Jersey’s culture is a melting pot of different cultures with a no-nonsense East Coast attitude. The Garden State is home to many national and state parks, delicious food, and museums and historical landmarks that cover the state's diverse heritage. Its high-quality educational institutions are another draw for families and those seeking higher education degrees.

What’s the Cost of Living in New Jersey?

MIT’s Living Wage Calculator estimates individuals should earn at least $54,503 per year before taxes—housing accounts for around $18,353 of this, and $9,700 per year on transportation.

Data from Best Places shows that New Jersey has a 19.8% higher cost of living than the national average, while in Newark, it's 35% higher.

Data for cost-of-living categories in New Jersey:

How Is the Job Market in New Jersey?

New Jersey typically has a solid job market and is a major draw to new residents. New Jersey’s State Occupation Projections for 2022-2032 indicate expected growth in various sectors, including healthcare support occupations, healthcare practitioners, management, food preparation, computer and mathematical occupations, education instructors, business operations, and more.

Major employers in the state include Johnson & Johnson, Walmart, Amazon, and UPS. Key industries include pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, transportation/logistics, and medical device manufacturing.

How Safe Is New Jersey?

New Jersey’s crime rates have decreased in recent years, and the state has an impressive overall A+ crime grade.

The state's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) data show that violent crime is down 4.5% from 2023 to 2024, and other crimes, such as burglaries (an 8.6% decrease) and vehicle thefts (an 18.6% decrease), are also down.

New Jersey is considered a very safe state, and many families move there for the low risk of crime.

What Are Schools Like in New Jersey?

New Jersey offers top-rated K-12 school opportunities for students, as well as high-level universities. Notable school districts include Northern Valley Regional High School District, Princeton Public Schools, and Millburn Township School District.

For higher education, Princeton University, Rutgers University - New Brunswick, and Stevens Institute of Technology draw students.

Is New Jersey a Good Place to Raise a Family?

New Jersey is one of the best places to raise a family, with endless outdoor activities, an A+ crime grade, and excellent public and private school districts. Cities like Princeton and Montclair offer family-friendly vibes and excellent school districts.

What Are Some Popular Cities in New Jersey?

New Jersey caters to a range of lifestyles, from nature lovers to big families.

Here’s a look at average rent prices in some of the state's most popular cities:

Is Living in New Jersey Right for You?

If you’ve weighed the pros and cons of living in New Jersey and decided it’s right for you, then you should start looking for a new place. You can take Apartment List’s personalized quiz to find the best rental unit matches today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in New Jersey

What are the downsides of living in New Jersey?

Many New Jersey residents report the high cost of living and high taxes to be the biggest downside of living in the state. Other cons include severe traffic congestion and freezing cold winters.

Why are people moving to New Jersey?

People typically move to New Jersey for job opportunities and its excellent school districts. Some new residents may also move to the Garden State for its natural beauty and access to 130 miles of beaches and national or state parks.

What are the biggest risks of living in New Jersey?

People moving to New Jersey may deal with risk factors such as extreme weather events from coastal weather patterns, a high cost of living, and traffic congestion.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in New Jersey?

MIT’s Living Wage Calculator estimates individuals should earn at least $54,503 per year before taxes to live in New Jersey.