New Jersey
New Jersey ranks #20 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 65.5/100 and a B grade. Its strongest category is Education (96/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (7/100).
How Does New Jersey Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in New Jersey
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Hoboken | A+ | 70.6 | 58,340 | $176,943 | 147.8 | — |
| 241 | Clifton | B+ | 59.1 | 88,478 | $98,598 | 158.9 | 112.5 |
| 280 | Bayonne | B+ | 58.0 | 70,303 | $73,669 | 266.1 | 112.5 |
| 342 | Hackensack | B+ | 56.8 | 45,768 | $82,212 | 245.3 | — |
| 364 | Toms River | B | 56.2 | 95,515 | $90,593 | — | — |
| 413 | Jersey City | B | 55.0 | 291,663 | $91,286 | 496.3 | 112.5 |
| 446 | West New York | B | 54.2 | 51,683 | $67,139 | 239 | 112.5 |
| 528 | Union City | C+ | 52.4 | 64,470 | $86,123 | 314.4 | — |
| 599 | Lakewood | C+ | 50.9 | 67,764 | $70,483 | — | 105.5 |
| 680 | Elizabeth | C | 48.7 | 135,836 | $71,715 | 557.7 | 112.5 |
| 754 | Vineland | C | 46.8 | 60,692 | $65,854 | 448.6 | 93.7 |
| 776 | Perth Amboy | C | 45.9 | 55,278 | $58,490 | 367.3 | — |
| 777 | Plainfield | C | 45.9 | 54,515 | $80,334 | 523.8 | — |
| 783 | East Orange | C | 45.8 | 69,553 | $56,293 | 483.7 | — |
| 809 | Newark | D | 45.0 | 304,943 | $53,818 | 490.1 | 112.5 |
| 845 | Passaic | D | 43.7 | 68,917 | $50,893 | 628.1 | 112.5 |
| 858 | New Brunswick | D | 43.0 | 55,744 | $60,248 | 945.9 | — |
| 932 | Camden | D | 40.2 | 71,099 | $35,129 | — | 103.5 |
| 947 | Paterson | D | 39.3 | 156,419 | $56,907 | 932.7 | 112.5 |
| 963 | Trenton | F | 37.7 | 89,607 | $49,117 | 1040.1 | 102.1 |
Best Cities in New Jersey for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hoboken | 67.9 | 87.6 | 86.9 | 31.1 |
| 2 | Bayonne | 63.2 | 77.6 | 79.3 | 57.4 |
| 3 | Clifton | 62.6 | 78.5 | 80.9 | 56.9 |
| 4 | Hackensack | 62.0 | 88.0 | 74.1 | 54.6 |
| 5 | Toms River | 60.9 | 77.8 | 80.7 | 55.3 |
More Northeast States
New Jersey Rankings Overview
New Jersey earns an overall grade of B with a composite score of 65.5 out of 100, ranking #20 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Education (96/100) while its biggest challenge is Outdoor Access (7/100).
Economy & Employment in New Jersey
With an unemployment rate of 4.8% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), New Jersey performs below average on economic indicators. The median household income is $97,126, which ranks above the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in New Jersey
New Jersey's violent crime rate of 195 per 100,000 residents places it in the top half of states for public safety. This makes it one of the safest states in America.
Health & Education in New Jersey
New Jersey ranks #10 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #3 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in New Jersey is 79.5 years, and the high school graduation rate is 91%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in New Jersey
New Jersey's total tax burden is 10.3% of personal income, which is above the national average of 8.74%. The top marginal income tax rate is 11.75%. The effective property tax rate is 2.33% and the combined state and local sales tax rate is 6.6%.
Housing & Affordability in New Jersey
The median home price in New Jersey is $521,000, compared to the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 109 (where 100 equals the national average), placing it among the more expensive states. The price-to-income ratio is 5.4x.
Environment in New Jersey
New Jersey has a median air quality index of 40 (EPA AirData), above the national average. 8% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 16.6 (below average risk).
Growth & Migration in New Jersey
New Jersey's population growth rate is +0.7% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is -3.8 per 1,000 residents, indicating significant outward migration. 98% of households have broadband internet access, among the best-connected states.
Best Cities in New Jersey
The top-ranked cities in New Jersey based on our composite scoring are Hoboken, Clifton, and Bayonne. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in New Jersey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is New Jersey's overall ranking?
New Jersey ranks #20 out of 50 states with a composite score of 65.5/100 and a grade of B.
Is New Jersey a good place to live?
New Jersey ranks among the top-performing states in America with a composite score of 65.5/100. Its strengths in areas like economic opportunity and public safety make it an attractive place to live for many residents.
What is the crime rate in New Jersey?
The violent crime rate in New Jersey is 195 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does New Jersey's economy compare?
New Jersey's median household income is $97,126 with an unemployment rate of 4.8%. The unemployment rate is above the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is above the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in New Jersey?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in New Jersey are Hoboken, Clifton, and Bayonne.
How does New Jersey rank for families?
New Jersey ranks #12 of 50 states for families with a score of 77.8/100. This is a mid-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does New Jersey rank for retirees?
New Jersey ranks #26 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 59.3/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does New Jersey rank for remote workers?
New Jersey ranks #47 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 43.2/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.