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New Jersey has the highest property tax rate in the United States at 2.47%. NJ also has the third-highest income tax in the country at 10.75%. New Jersey, California, and Hawaii are the highest taxed states in the country.
New Jersey is one of the most expensive places to live in the United States. There must be a pretty good reason - are we getting our money's worth?
To figure this out, let’s look at which states are the ‘best state' to live in according to U.S. News and World Report.
All 50 U.S. states were ranked on how well they were "performing for their citizens.” Thousands of data points were analyzed to measure this, including health care, education, state economy, infrastructure, public safety, fiscal stability of state government, and "opportunities" for residents.
The state that ranked highest overall, the best state to live in, was Washington. Then Minnesota, Utah, New Hampshire, Idaho, Nebraska, Virginia, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Florida – ten states later we’re not at New Jersey yet.
New Jersey ranked #19 in best states to live, according to US News and World Report’s state rankings.
Before we get into an uproar and overthrow our state government, let's look at NJ’s individual rankings by category.
Best news first.
New Jersey is #1 – the best state – in the nation for education. Our state is 4th in the country for best health care, Morristown Medical Center consistently ranks as one of the best hospitals in the country and the state of New Jersey.
We rank #5 for crime and corrections. This statistic is based on public safety quality and the quality and fairness of state prison systems, including racial bias. Morristown Minute reported on Morristown’s Biggest Problems a few weeks ago where we discovered that New Jersey has a serious problem of racial bias in our criminal justice system. Despite this, NJ still ranks as #5 in the country for best crime and corrections – the reality is that NJs criminal justice system is biased, but not as bias as the rest of the country.
New Jersey is 19th in “opportunity.” This ranking was determined by poverty measures, housing affordability, and equity for women, minorities, and people with disabilities. Morristown has a significant lack of affordable housing options, as cited in our article mentioned above. We also disproportionately funnel government funds away from minority communities, and yet we’re 19th in the nation for "opportunity."
Now for the “less than good” news.
Our state ranks 33rd in two categories among 50 states, economy, and natural environment. Economy rankings are tracked by unemployment rates, GDP growth, migration into the state, patents, and new businesses. The natural environment ranking is based on the quality of air and water in the state as well as exposure to pollution and toxins. This rating is generally pretty low for densely populated states – NJ is the most densely populated state in the country.
Finally, the bad news.
We’re 41st in the country for best infrastructure, in other words, New Jersey is among the ten worst states for infrastructure. We have poor bridges, public transportation, power grids, and broadband. That’s not great news, especially considering residents of New Jersey pay a heavy amount in property and income taxes.
Our worst ranking is in fiscal stability, for which New Jersey ranks 49th – we’re second to last. US News and World Report determined fiscal stability rankings by tracking the state’s government credit ratings, liquidity, pension fund liability, and budget balancing. Our state is not good at managing money or maintaining financial stability.
These are the statistics and what they reveal.
NJ is a great place for education and health care.
Reports show we perform better than other states when it comes to criminal justice bias, but we’re still not performing very well and we disproportionately incarcerate minorities.
Public transportation is extremely lacking, and our roads are dangerous and falling apart. Our environment is suffering in a nation and a world where the environment is already taking a heavy hit. (Maybe we'll get some of that money Biden's been talking about.)
New Jersey has the (2nd) worst fiscal stability in the country, meaning our economy is unstable and our elected representatives have long struggled to manage the state’s finances.
This is how New Jersey compares to its fellow states. One of the three most expensive places to live in the country and #19 for quality of life.
What else would you like to know about how New Jersey compares to the rest of the country? How does being #19 feel?
