Year after year, the data backs it up—New Jersey is one of the best places to live in the country. For 2025, WalletHub ranked the Garden State third in the nation, just behind Massachusetts and Idaho. The ranking evaluated all 50 states, taking into account 51 factors ranging from safety and education to health, quality of life, and economic strength.
Other data used to make the list includes cost of living, job opportunities, quality of education, housing costs, income growth, quality of hospitals, safety, and things like nearby attractions, recreation and weather.
Not surprisingly, NJ came in near the bottom of the list for affordability. We almost always come in at No. 1 when it comes to who has the highest effective property tax rate. The effective property tax rate represents the amount of residential property taxes homeowners pay in relation to the value of their homes. Even before factoring in NJ’s high property taxes, we are ranked as the ninth-most expensive state to buy a house. Wallet Hub’s latest ranking has the Garden State coming in 48th for affordability, with California and Hawaii being the only two states that are, on average, more expensive to live in.
New Jersey ranked the 3rd best state to live in overall for 2025, just behind Massachusetts and Idaho.
Overall Rank: 3rd
Total rank: 59.81 points
1st for safety
6th for education and health
6th for percentage of the population in poverty
7th for quality of life
7th for restaurants per capita
13th for average weekly work hours
15th for percentage of people in fair or poor health
25th for economy
25th for percentage of people who have health insurance
48th for affordability
According to the study, New Jersey has the third-highest median household income in the country, at over $101,000. NJ residents have the second-lowest median debt, the equivalent of around 29 percent of what they earn in a year.
The Garden State has the sixth-lowest share of the population below the poverty line, and the 10th-lowest food insecurity rate. When it comes to health, New Jersey residents have the second-lowest premature death rate in the nation, the sixth-lowest obesity rate, and the seventh-best overall life expectancy, according to the report.
The Garden State has the sixth-most miles of trails and the fifth-most fitness centers per capita. Finally, New Jersey has the ninth-lowest violent crime rate and 11th-lowest property crime rate, due in part to the fact that it has the highest number of law enforcement employees per capita.
The Best States to Live in for 2025, according to WalletHub:
- Massachusetts
- Idaho
- New Jersey
- Wisconsin
- Minnesota
- Florida
- New Hampshire
- Utah
- New York
- Pennsylvania
Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram!
Read More:
Is New Jersey Really One of The Best States to Live In? Um, Obviously
New Jersey Is One of The Best States to Live In (2023)
New Jersey Named Second Best State to Live In (2022)
Popular Now:
The Best Things to Do in Philadelphia
What Are the Best Public Colleges in NJ According to Money Magazine?
Mini Vacations in New Jersey: 5 Short But Sweet Getaway Ideas
The Other Jersey Shore: How to Plan a Perfect Summer Day at an NJ Lake
NJ Public Schools Just Ranked 3rd Best in the Country, According to New Ranking
These 2 NJ Downtowns Were Just Named Among the Most Walkable in the U.S.
Townsizing Is the New Travel Buzzword—And Cape May’s at the Top of the List
A School in New Jersey Has Been Named One of the Most Innovative in The World
Little Words Project: How an NJ Mom Turned Kindness Into a Million Dollar Brand
How to Book a Taylor Swift-Inspired Airbnb at The Jersey Shore
