Why So Many Choose to Live in New Jersey

Updated: August 8, 2026

New Jersey, often known as the Garden State, stands out as the best state to live in for many who seek a balance between opportunity and lifestyle.

While New Jersey sometimes faces jokes and stereotypes from neighboring states or reality TV viewers, it consistently attracts new residents drawn by a strong economy, thriving business environment, and a median household income that supports a comfortable life.

• New Jersey is a strong choice for people who value highly ranked public schools, health care, safety, jobs, and access to major cities.
  
• WalletHub ranked New Jersey as the second-best state to live in for 2026.
  
• New Jersey ranked highly for quality of life, safety, health care, and public education in the sources cited by the article.
  
• Residents have access to NJ Transit, the Jersey Shore, Atlantic City, professional sports, cultural events, and nearby New York City and Philadelphia.
  
• New Jersey has higher housing and living costs than many states, but its services, schools, employment opportunities, and location may justify the expense for some households.
  

Living in New Jersey may come with a higher price tag, but the many benefits—from top-notch health care and education to endless dining choices and family-friendly activities—make it well worth the investment.

As J. Irwin Miller said, “Nothing is more expensive than mediocrity,” and New Jersey delivers far above that standard. While New Jersey is notoriously expensive, the data shows that it pays off.

New Jersey: Answers to Your Top Questions
About Life in the Garden State

Get answers to the most common questions about living, working, raising a family, and enjoying life in New Jersey’s Garden State.

Where does New Jersey rank as a Best State to live in?

WalletHub’s Best States to Live in 2026 rankings place New Jersey 2nd. To identify the best places to call home, WalletHub compared all 50 states across 51 key indicators of livability, including housing affordability, income growth, educational attainment and hospital quality.

2. How does New Jersey rank for overall quality of life?

Coastal Moving Services 2026 report ranked New Jersey as the nation’s 3rd best state for quality of life.

The ranking focuse specifically on day-to-day quality of life, environmental conditions, and safety rather than trying to identify the best state to live in for every household. That distinction matters. A broader livability ranking may give heavy weight to housing costs, taxes, jobs, or economic growth. This ranking intentionally focuses on what daily life is like once you are there: commute times, access to public transportation, trails and recreation, cultural amenities, weather, air quality, environmental conditions, and safety.

3. How safe is New Jersey?

Safety is a key factor for many considering relocation, and New Jersey ranks impressively in this area. Americas Dashboard 2026 study ranked the state 6th in the nation for safety. Safety is personal. It's the thing that determines whether you feel comfortable walking your neighborhood at night, whether your kids can play outside unsupervised, whether you lock your doors or don't. They ranked all 50 states using FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data, scoring both violent crime and property crime per 100,000 residents.

4. How good is New Jersey health care?

New Jersey health care stands out as some of the best in the country. The Money Geek 2026 Report ranked New Jersey #6 in the nation on overall health care.

The rankings were based on Cost and Access. For cost the metrics used were: Affordable Care Act (ACA) premiums for 2026 Commonwealth Fund performance index Health spending as a percentage of GDP Per capita health spending.

For access, the metrics used were: Insurance coverage Hospital beds per 1,000 residents Primary care providers per 100,000 residents Primary care shortage areas percent need met

5. How strong are New Jersey pre-k to 12th grade public schools?

Education is a major strength of New Jersey, ranking first overall for pre-k to 12th grade public schools, according to Quantum Foresight report: U.S. Education Ranking By Year Statistics 2026
Taken from data released U.S. News & World Report ranking states based on: Pre-K–12 performance (test scores, preschool enrollment, graduation rates)

6. What about NJ entertainment and things to do?

Entertainment options in New Jersey are diverse and accessible, thanks in part to the state’s compact size and efficient transportation system, including NJ Transit, which connects residents to local attractions and neighboring cities.

Fans of sports can enjoy two NFL teams and an NHL team, while Atlantic City’s casinos and the Jersey Shore provide abundant leisure opportunities.

The state also boasts theaters and frequent events along the coast. Plus, New York City and Philadelphia are just a short ride away, offering Broadway shows, concerts, and cultural experiences that enhance NJ’s vibrant lifestyle.

Bottom Line: Why So Many People Choose to Call New Jersey Home

For many good reasons, the Garden State offers safe communities, top-tier New Jersey health care, excellent public school systems, and strong business opportunities that contribute to a thriving economy.

With access to a world-class transportation system including NJ Transit, and rich entertainment options, New Jersey is consistently recognized as one of the best states to live in. Its combination of safety, education, and business resources makes NJ an ideal place for raising a family and building a future.

Frequently Asked Questions
About Living in New Jersey

Is New Jersey one of the best states to live in?

New Jersey is one of the highest-ranked states in the sources cited by the article. WalletHub ranked it second among all 50 states in its 2026 Best States to Live In ranking, which considered factors such as housing affordability, income growth, education, and hospital quality.

How does New Jersey rank for quality of life?

New Jersey ranked third in Coastal Moving Services' 2026 quality-of-life report. That ranking focused on daily living conditions, including commute times, public transportation, recreation, cultural amenities, weather, air quality, environmental conditions, and safety.

Is New Jersey a safe state?

New Jersey ranked sixth for safety in the 2026 Americas Dashboard study. The ranking used FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data and evaluated violent crime and property crime rates per 100,000 residents.

Is health care good in New Jersey?

New Jersey ranked sixth nationally in the 2026 health care report cited by the article. The evaluation considered health care cost and access, including insurance coverage, hospital beds, primary care providers, health spending, and primary care shortage areas.

Are New Jersey public schools among the best in the country?

New Jersey ranked first for pre-K through 12th grade public schools in the 2026 education ranking cited by the article. The evaluation considered factors such as test scores, preschool enrollment, and graduation rates.

Uncover fascinating lesser‑known facts that reveal New Jersey’s surprising hidden stories