Is New Jersey or New York a better state to live in?

Based on our composite scoring, New Jersey ranks higher overall. New Jersey is #19 and New York is #26 out of 50 states. New Jersey wins 6 of 11 categories, while New York wins 5.

How does New Jersey compare to New York in cost of living?

New Jersey has a cost of living index of 109, while New York's is 108 (100 = national average). New York is more affordable.

Which state is safer, New Jersey or New York?

New Jersey has 195 violent crimes per 100K residents, vs 364 in New York. New Jersey has the lower crime rate.

What are the median incomes in New Jersey vs New York?

New Jersey's median household income is $97,126, compared to $81,386 in New York.

New Jersey vs New York: Side-by-Side (2026)

New Jersey

#19·Northeast

65.1Composite Score

VSNew Jersey leads

New York

#26·Northeast

56.8Composite Score

6NJ wins

5NY wins

Category Overlay

New JerseyNew York

Category Scores

💰 EconomyNJ +11.4

55.1

43.7

🛡️ SafetyNJ +22.6

80.7

58.1

🏥 HealthNJ +8.1

81.6

73.5

🎓 EducationNJ +36.7

95.9

59.2

💼 Fiscal HealthNY +11.3

33.2

44.5

📈 GrowthNJ +7.3

27.2

19.9

🏠 AffordabilityNJ +9.0

44.4

35.4

🌿 EnvironmentNY +21.0

37.4

58.4

🏞️ Outdoor AccessNY +23.7

6.5

30.2

🚇 TransportationNY +7.7

50.6

58.3

🎭 LivabilityNY +24.9

30.2

55.1

Key Metrics Comparison

Metric	New Jersey	New York	Winner
Population	9,290,841	19,571,216	NY
Median Income	$97,126	$81,386	NJ
Unemployment	4.8%	4.5%	NY
Violent Crime Rate(per 100K)	195	364	NJ
Cost of Living(100 = national avg)	109	108	NY
HS Graduation Rate	91%	85%	NJ
Life Expectancy	79.5 yr	79.1 yr	NJ
Pop Growth	+0.7%	+0.4%	NJ

New Jersey vs New York: How Do They Compare?

New Jersey ranks #19 overall with a composite score of 65.1, earning a B grade. New York sits at #26 with 56.8 and a B grade. New Jersey has the edge overall, winning 6 of 11 categories.

On the economic front, New Jersey has 4.8% unemployment and a $97,126 median income, while New York reports 4.5% unemployment and $81,386 median income.

For safety, New Jersey's violent crime rate is 195 per 100K compared to 364 in New York. Cost of living favors New York with an index of 108 vs 109.

Explore These States

New Jersey Full Profile65.1 New York Full Profile56.8 Compare Other States→

Data Sources

📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (Dec 2025)📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024📎FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, 2024📎America's Health Rankings, 2025📎WalletHub/NAEP, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024📎Cook Political Report, PVI 2024📎Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2025📎ALEC Rich States Poor States, 2025📎WalletHub Tax Burden Study, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau / FHFA, 2025📎BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023📎EPA AirData, Median AQI by County 2024📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎FEMA National Risk Index v1.20, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Net Domestic Migration 2024📎FCC / BroadbandNow, Broadband Access 2025📎National Park Service API, 2024📎USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US), 2024📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 (Commuting)📎FHWA Highway Statistics, 2023📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎EIA Natural Gas Prices, 2024📎DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2023📎BEA Regional Price Parities (Food), 2023📎NCES Common Core of Data (CCD), 2023-24📎EDFacts ACGR Graduation Rates, 2021-22📎NCES School District Finance Survey (F-33), 2022-23📎BEA GDP by State (SAGDP9), 2023📎NASBO Fiscal Survey of States, FY2023📎Census Bureau State Government Finances, FY2022📎Pew Charitable Trusts Fiscal 50, FY2023📎Pew Charitable Trusts, FY2022📎S&P/Moody's via Ballotpedia, 2025📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES (May 2023)📎IRS Statistics of Income, Migration Data 2021-2022