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New Jersey is more than just the state between NYC and Philadelphia. Sure, that is the major draw of the area, but there’s so much more to the Garden State than its proximity to other cities. For locals, New Jersey offers the perfect blend of city life, accessible shorelines, and beautiful countryside. Despite its small size, New Jersey has a lot to offer its residents. Of course, it does have some faults, but what location doesn’t? If you’re considering a move to New Jersey, read the points below to help you with your decision.

Close to Major Cities

No matter where in New Jersey you move to, you’ll have easy access to either NYC or Philadelphia. New Jersey is a relatively small state, so even if you do end up in southern NJ, you can get to NYC in around two hours. Commuting to NYC or Philadelphia is common for many NJ residents. So you don’t have to give up access to all the amazing amenities these cities have to offer if you want to live in the suburbs. Depending on where you move to, you can even take a quick 15-30 minute train ride to get into Manhattan!

Best NJ Areas for Different Lifestyles

#	Lifestyle	Best Area	Why
1	Commuters	Hoboken	10–15 min PATH to NYC
2	Families	Princeton	Top-rated schools
3	Affordability	Cherry Hill	Lower housing costs
4	Nightlife	Jersey City	Bars + restaurants
5	Outdoors	Sussex County	Forests + trails

You don’t even need to go into NYC or Philadelphia to get access to city amenities. Jersey City and Newark both offer plenty of things to do, including some amazing restaurants, great bars and nightclubs, an international airport (Newark Airport), and more! Many long-time residents don’t even go into NYC unless necessary because New Jersey has pretty much everything they need.

Excellent Quality of Life

Sure, NYC might be exciting, but with so many people packed into a small place, it’s not always going to be the cleanest or safest place. While there are certainly unsafe parts of New Jersey, overall, New Jersey is one of the safest states in the United States. If you want to avoid high crime rates, avoid moving to Camden, Trenton, Paterson, and Atlantic City, as crime rates are quite high at these locations.

Besides being safe, New Jersey also has a booming job market (the state is home to 17 Fortune 500 companies), great access to healthcare, and the best public schools in the nation. On top of that, you have access to plenty of entertainment and access to nature, thanks to the many county and state parks. It’s no surprise that New Jersey consistently ranks in the top ten happiest states in the country.

Beautiful Scenery

Despite its small size, New Jersey offers a wide range of scenery to enjoy. Traverse the 130 miles of shoreline and more than 60 designated beaches where you can swim, sail, surf, scuba dive, and fish. If you’re not into the beach, then there are plenty of parks for you to enjoy. Go to Liberty State Park for stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty. During the spring, go to Branch Brook Park in Newark, as it is home to one of the largest collections of cherry blossoms in the country!

If you want a bit more exercise, visit Wharton State Forest, the largest state forest in New Jersey. There are plenty of trails for you to explore on foot, by bike, or on horseback. You can also bring a canoe or kayak and paddle on the lakes. There are plenty of other small parks dotted around New Jersey, so even if you get tired of Wharton, you can simply head to another place.

Great Educational Institutions

New Jersey has consistently ranked as the number one state in public education. Of course, not all public schools in the state are the same, but the majority of schools offer a great student-to-teacher ratio, extracurricular activities, advanced placement classes, and more. Besides public schools, there are also plenty of private schools to choose from if you want to go that route. Neither option is a bad choice, and you can rest easy knowing your child will be getting some of the best education in the nation.

NJ Public Education Snapshot

#	Metric	NJ Rank/Score	Notes
1	Public School Ranking	#1	Best in the U.S.
2	Graduation Rate	91%	Among the top 5 states
3	Student–Teacher Ratio	12:1	Better than the national average
4	Reading Scores	Top 5	Strong performance in literacy
5	AP Participation	High	Excellent access to advanced courses

Besides primary schools, New Jersey is also home to some of the best universities. There is, of course, Princeton University, the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, as it was chartered before the American Revolution. It is also one of the world’s most prominent research universities, with people traveling across the globe to attend. Besides Princeton, New Jersey is also home to Rutgers University, the largest university in New Jersey, as well as the second oldest, behind Princeton.

Rich in History

New Jersey is steeped in American history with plenty of historical sites and landmarks. The most notable historical site is, of course, Ellis Island, which is partially owned by New York. There’s also the Thomas Edison National Historical Park, which includes the lab and house of Thomas Edison and the battlegrounds of the Revolutionary War in Princeton. But there are plenty more smaller sites like the plaque in Hoboken to commemorate the first ever recorded baseball game in history, or the various houses dotted across New Jersey with historical significance due to their architectural style. Wherever you go, there’s history!

It’s Expensive

With all the amazing amenities New Jersey has to offer, it should come as no surprise that you end up paying for it. The cost of living in New Jersey is quite high. The median home price is around $550,000 compared to the national median of $440,000. The prices only go up the closer you get to a major city like Newark or Jersey City. And speaking of housing, property taxes are some of the highest in the nation, even higher than in New York! You’ll also be paying a lot more for the basics like utilities, groceries, and more. Still, there are affordable places outside the more popular cities and towns in New Jersey, but it might mean a longer commute.

Cost of Living Breakdown in New Jersey

#	Category	NJ Score	Notes
1	Housing	9/10	High prices near NYC/NJ major cities
2	Property Taxes	10/10	Highest in the U.S.
3	Utilities	7/10	Above national average
4	Transportation	8/10	Tolls + congestion
5	Groceries	7/10	Higher in dense counties

Extreme Weather Conditions

Being on the coast makes New Jersey vulnerable to coastal storms and flooding. It is also at heightened risk of hurricanes and tropical storms, which, when they land, lead to devastating results, as seen by Hurricane Sandy. With rising sea levels and warmer temperatures, New Jersey will likely see more tropical storms and hurricanes in the upcoming decades. On top of that, the aging infrastructure makes the state even more susceptible to natural disasters. On the other hand, New Jersey is prone to nor’easters, which can lead to below-zero temperatures and blizzards, making for a difficult winter.

Horrible Traffic

You might think NYC has bad traffic, but New Jersey has some of the worst in the country. In fact, it is the 9th worst state for driving! Much of the traffic is concentrated around the major roads, bridges, and tunnels that lead to NYC or Philadelphia due to all the commuters. If this is your plan, know that New Jersey residents spend an average of 86 hours per year stuck in traffic! What should be a 25-minute car ride anywhere else can end up lasting an hour or longer, depending on when you’re driving in and if there’s any construction or an accident.

Make Your Move to New Jersey

If the pros outweigh the cons for you, then make sure to give NJ Great Movers a call to help with your relocation to New Jersey. We’ve helped hundreds of customers make a smooth transition to their new home. And with New Jersey being so expensive, you’ll be happy to know that we do our best to offer services that match your needs and budget.

FAQ

What other taxes do I need to worry about in New Jersey?

In addition to property taxes, you will also need to pay income taxes and sales tax, which happens to be the 8th highest in the nation. Luckily, there are some areas in New Jersey called the Urban Enterprise Zone, which allow businesses to charge half the sales tax on tax exempt goods.

How is public transportation in New Jersey?

It depends on where you live, but on the whole New Jersey has a great public transportation system. There are buses and trains that take you to various locations in New Jersey to NYC. There are also local buses that take you within certain towns. If you end up moving more to the suburbs, though, you’ll definitely want to invest in a car.

New Jersey, also known as the Garden State, is a popular destination for a variety of reasons, with the most common one being its proximity to two major cities: NYC and Philadelphia. While it’s often overshadowed by New York, there are plenty of other reasons to move here, including affordable housing, parks and beaches, great schools, and more. So whether you’re a young professional, a growing family, or perhaps a retiree, moving to New Jersey is a great option. Below are some hints and tips on how to choose the right place in New Jersey for you.

Check Out Different Towns/Cities

New Jersey might be the fifth smallest state when it comes to land area, but there’s a lot of diversity when it comes to the various towns and small cities. If you want to commute easily to NYC, look at Hoboken or Jersey City, as you can simply hop on the PATH train to access Midtown, the West Village, and Battery Park City. Due to its proximity to NYC, both locations have a more urban feel and offer a wide variety of amenities and great nightlife, making it perfect for young professionals.

Top NJ Towns by Commute to NYC

Town	Approx. Commute Time to NYC	Transit Options	Notes
Hoboken	15–20 min	PATH train	Urban feel, vibrant nightlife, great for young professionals
Jersey City	20–25 min	PATH train, ferry	Diverse amenities, growing residential areas
Weehawken	15–30 min	Ferry, bus	Waterfront views, quieter than Hoboken
Edgewater	25–35 min	Ferry, bus	Suburban feel, easy access to shopping & NYC
Secaucus	20–40 min	NJ Transit train, bus	Good for commuters, more suburban and affordable than Hoboken
Fort Lee	25–45 min	Bus, car via the George Washington Bridge	Close to Manhattan, a mix of urban and suburban living

However, if you’re looking for something a bit quieter, there are plenty of options to choose from, including:

Montclair offers an urban/suburban feel with plenty of restaurants and retail shops. It also has highly rated public schools and low crime rates
Princeton – home to the prestigious Princeton University, the town of Princeton is often considered one of the best places to live. The historic downtown is very walkable with plenty of food and shopping options.
Closter – Located in Bergen County, this small town is great if you’re looking for a more rural environment, but still want access to major cities. NYC is about an hour away via NJ Transit buses. Considered the Historic Hub of the Northern Valley, Closter offers a quaint downtown area as well as an outdoor mall that includes grocery stores, restaurants, and a movie theater.

Know what kind of environment you want before moving. You don’t want to move to the suburbs if you’re looking for a more bustling environment. Some factors to consider when comparing neighborhoods include:

Community – each area has its own culture. Some towns are more conservative, while others are more progressive. Find the one that suits you!

Cost of Living – the cost of living varies widely between towns, but the more amenities you want where you live, the more expensive it will be. Living in Hoboken will be more expensive than a place like Morristown, for example.

Amenities – what do you want from the neighborhood? If you’re an outdoorsy person, you might want to move to a place that has easy access to one of the many parks in New Jersey. Young professionals, on the other hand, might want to move to a place that has an active nightlife. Figure this out before you move so you’re not stuck somewhere that doesn’t offer the things you want.

Commute – While New Jersey traffic might not be as bad as NYC, you can experience traffic jams during the morning and evening rush hour. If you plan on commuting to NYC or Philadelphia, make sure you are okay with the commute time! An hour might not seem that long initially, but it might slowly wear on you if you have to make the trip 5 days a week.

Decide Whether to Rent or Buy

New Jersey has plenty of housing options, and you can choose to buy or rent. For either option, peak season is during the summer months between Memorial Day and Labor Day. If possible, try to find a place between October and April, as while the supply might be lower, you’ll have a better chance of negotiating the rents and home prices down.

NJ Rent & Home Prices table

Town	Approx. Avg. Rent (1BR / 2BR)	Approx. Avg. Home Price / Home Value	Trend / Notes on Price / Rent
Jersey City, NJ	$3,153 / $4,158	$729,000	Rents are high compared to the NJ average; home prices are above the state median
Montclair, NJ	$2,357 / $2,979	$1,073,815	Home values increased ~5.6% over the past year — strong demand & rising cost
Princeton, NJ	$2,650 / $3,375	$946,837	Slight recent increase in home value (~+2.5% YoY)
Toms River, NJ	$1,843 / $2,323	$450,463	More affordable compared with the NJ average — modest home‑value growth (~+2.7% YoY)
Statewide NJ (benchmark)	$1,922 / $2,443	$564,400	Prices rising statewide: house prices increased 5.8% YoY

When it comes to renting, there are plenty of options to choose from, including apartment buildings to family homes. Tenant laws in New Jersey are meant to protect renters. For example, landlords cannot charge more than 1.5 times the monthly rent for a security deposit. The best part about renting is that you can leave when your lease is up. Have your paperwork ready if you end up finding a place you love, as apartments tend to move fast in the more desirable locations. You will need to show proof of income, ID, and occasionally have references ready. Unlike NYC, which requires 40 times the rent, New Jersey landlords are a bit more lenient, requiring 30-35 times the monthly rent as the annual income requirement. You might also need to pay Broker fees, though it’s less common than in NYC.

If you want to buy, you have plenty of options to choose from: condos to townhomes, to family estates. The housing market can be fierce, especially in areas with good schools and access to amenities, so you’ll need to move fast if you find a place you like. If you plan on buying a condo, make sure you familiarize yourself with everything you will need to pay for, including things like insurance, condo fees, taxes, maintenance fees, etc.

Find a Place That Matches Your Budget

With the cost of living continuing to rise, finding a location that you can afford is imperative. On average, New Jersey tends to be more expensive than the national average, but compared to NYC and Philadelphia, it is cheaper. Still, that doesn’t mean all of the towns are affordable, as there are plenty of wealthy areas like Princeton and Montclair. In general, most locations that have great schools, lots of amenities, and access to NYC tend to be on the more expensive side. Likewise, there are more affordable locations like:

Phillipsburg – A rural town equidistant to NYC and Philadelphia. It has seen an economic revival in the past 20 years due to the Urban Enterprise Zone initiative, which has reduced sales tax to 3.3125% to encourage more shopping and businesses. There has also been continuous talks of re-establishing a train from NYC to Phillipsburg so it could become a bustling town in the near future.
New Brunswick – A regional commercial hub for Central New Jersey, the area is home to Rutgers University, the largest university in New Jersey, and is also a popular commuter town for those who work in NYC.
Toms River – A perfect location for those who want to live along the water. You get the Toms River that goes right through town, and easy access to the beach along the Atlantic Ocean. It’s one of the safest cities in the United States and tends to attract families and retirees.

Depending on where you move in New Jersey, home ownership isn’t just a pipe dream. There are many great locations where you can still get a home for under $300,000. In fact, compared to neighboring states, New Jersey has a higher percentage of homeowners! One thing to keep in mind is that New Jersey has the highest property taxes in the United States. And while HOAs do exist, they aren’t as prevalent as many homes and communities were created pre-1980.

Rent vs Buy Pros & Cons Table

Category	Rent	Buy
Initial Cost	Low upfront cost (security deposit + 1st month)	High upfront cost (down payment, closing fees)
Monthly Payments	Rent is predictable, may increase yearly	Mortgage payments may be stable, including property taxes & insurance
Maintenance	The landlord is responsible for repairs	The owner is responsible for all maintenance & repairs
Flexibility	Easy to move when the lease ends	Harder to relocate; selling may take time
Equity / Investment	No equity gained; money goes to the landlord	Builds equity over time; potential property appreciation
Tax Benefits	None	Mortgage interest & property taxes may be deductible
Lifestyle / Amenities	Access to apartment amenities; less responsibility	Full control of property; can renovate & customize

Speaking of taxes, New Jersey does not have any city taxes, unlike New York. That means if you live in New Jersey but work in NYC, your take-home pay is more than if you lived and worked in NYC, since you aren’t paying NYC taxes. It also has progressive state taxes, so you only get taxes on the income you earn above a certain bracket.

Besides housing and taxes, you also have to consider other areas of your budget. For example, if you move to a suburban or rural area, you will definitely need to invest in a car, which means insurance and gas. Luckily, New Jersey tends to have cheaper gas than neighboring states, as it is a major shipping hub for gas and oil. There are several options for grocery stores, including Aldi and Trader Joe’s, for budget-friendly options. You can also pick up fresh vegetables and fruits at your local farmer’s market!

Explore the Town

Have you narrowed down your choice of towns to one or two? Now is a perfect time to actually spend time in the area. This is a crucial step as it will give you a better idea of the community vibe and atmosphere, so even if you’re making a long-distance move to NYC, rent an Airbnb and spend a few days or a week in the area. The more time you can familiarize yourself with the area, the better.

Don’t treat this like a vacation! Use this time to act like you already live in the area. Travel to the grocery store, gym, school, work location, etc. to see how long it will actually take you to get to these places via your preferred method of travel. Outside of the major NJ cities, you’ll likely need to rent a car to get around, but you can always check to see if the area is bike and/or pedestrian-friendly if you enjoy walking around town. If you plan on commuting to NYC via bus or train, ride it so you get an idea of how long it will take and if it’s something you can handle on a daily basis. You should also travel to areas of interest, whether that’s to parks, the beach, or cultural institutions. Don’t forget to check out the local events to see if there’s anything happening. That way, you can get to know your neighbors beforehand!

Not everyone can take time off work to explore a new city. If that’s the case, then explore digitally via Google Street View. Check out points of interest and map out how long it will take to get to these locations. While it won’t give you the same experience, it’s better than nothing!

Moving to New Jersey

Your move to NJ doesn’t have to be stressful. At NJ Great Movers, we have helped hundreds of customers relocate with no issues. Our experienced moving team has handled every type of move in every situation, from moving during a blizzard to the scorching summer heat. So whether you’re making a local or long-distance move, we’re here to help. Reach out to u,s and we’ll answer any questions you might have.

FAQ

Is New Jersey a safe place to live?

As with any state, some parts are safer than others. However, on the whole, New Jersey is considered one of the safest states in the country.

What are some quirks of living in NJ?

There are a few things you’ll need to get used to. For example, there is no self serve gas pumping in NJ, you cannot turn left on red, and some restaurants with no liquor license allow you to bring your own bottle, though they will charge a cork fee.

What are some fun things to do in NJ?

New Jersey is full of things to do! If you like the outdoors, there are plenty of state parks and hiking trails to explore. You can head over to the shore to enjoy a day on the beach or go to Atlantic City to try your luck at a casino. Outside of that, head to Storybook Land, a fairy tale theme park. Depending on where you are and who you ask, Ellis Island is also a part of New Jersey, making it a great place for kids to learn more about US history.

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