Living in New Jersey: A Complete Guide

By Digital Piece of Cake

New Jersey gets a bad reputation from people who have only seen it through a car window on the Turnpike. In reality, the Garden State offers some of the best schools in the country, stunning shoreline, diverse communities, and access to both New York City and Philadelphia. For many New Yorkers, moving to New Jersey means more space, lower rent, and a higher quality of life while keeping their NYC job.

Cost of Living in New Jersey

New Jersey's cost of living is above the national average, driven by housing costs and property taxes. However, compared to New York City, most of New Jersey is significantly more affordable. The trade-off between NYC and NJ is well-established: you get more square footage, a yard, and better schools, but you add a commute and higher property taxes.

• •Housing: Median home price around $500,000. North Jersey near NYC is higher at $600,000+. South Jersey averages $350,000.
• •Rent: One-bedroom apartments range from $1,200 in South Jersey to $2,500+ in Hoboken and Jersey City.
• •Property taxes: The highest in the nation, averaging $9,000-$12,000 per year. This is the biggest ongoing cost of NJ homeownership.
• •State income tax: Progressive rates from 1.4% to 10.75%.
• •Groceries: Roughly at the national average, with good variety of stores including Wegmans, ShopRite, and Trader Joe's.
• •Transportation: NJ Transit passes for NYC commuters cost $200-$400 per month. Gas prices are moderate, and NJ is one of two states where you cannot pump your own gas.

Commuting to NYC from New Jersey

One of the primary reasons people move to New Jersey is the ability to commute to New York City for work while enjoying a suburban lifestyle at home. NJ Transit trains and buses serve most of the state, and the PATH train connects Hoboken, Jersey City, and Newark directly to Manhattan. Commute times vary significantly based on location.

• •Hoboken and Jersey City: 15-25 minutes via PATH train to Lower Manhattan or Midtown
• •Montclair and Maplewood: 40-50 minutes via NJ Transit to Penn Station
• •Princeton and New Brunswick: 60-70 minutes via NJ Transit Northeast Corridor line
• •Morristown: 55-65 minutes via NJ Transit Midtown Direct service
• •Bergen County (Ridgewood, Glen Rock): 40-55 minutes via NJ Transit Bergen line

Best Places to Live in New Jersey

• •Hoboken: Urban living with Manhattan views, walkable, young professional crowd, PATH train access
• •Jersey City: Rapidly growing, diverse, more affordable than Hoboken, excellent restaurants and waterfront
• •Montclair: Artsy, diverse, excellent schools, vibrant downtown, popular with NYC commuters
• •Princeton: Ivy League town with top schools, charming downtown, cultural events year-round
• •Maplewood and South Orange: Diverse communities with top schools, Victorian homes, NJ Transit access
• •Morristown: Historic charm, walkable downtown, great restaurants, Midtown Direct train service
• •Summit: Affluent, excellent schools, beautiful downtown, easy NYC commute
• •Red Bank: Artsy shore town with a lively downtown, music venues, and Monmouth County beaches nearby
• •Asbury Park: Revitalized shore town with a thriving music and food scene, LGBTQ+ friendly

Schools and Education

New Jersey consistently ranks among the top states in the nation for public education. Towns like Millburn, Livingston, Ridgewood, and Princeton have some of the highest-rated public school districts in the country. The state's investment in education is one of the primary reasons families move here despite the high property taxes that fund those schools. New Jersey is also home to prestigious universities including Princeton, Rutgers, and Stevens Institute of Technology.

The Jersey Shore

New Jersey's 130 miles of coastline are a major quality-of-life asset. From Sandy Hook to Cape May, the Shore offers diverse beach towns with distinct personalities. Asbury Park has a music and arts scene. Long Beach Island is a family favorite. Cape May is a Victorian gem at the southern tip. Atlantic City offers casinos and boardwalk entertainment. Summer beach tags cost $5 to $10 per day at most beaches, and seasonal passes are available.

Things to Know About Living in New Jersey

• •You cannot pump your own gas. Attendants handle fueling at all gas stations.
• •Diners are a New Jersey institution. There are over 500 diners in the state, more per capita than anywhere else.
• •The north-south divide is real. North Jersey identifies with NYC; South Jersey identifies with Philadelphia.
• •Property taxes are genuinely high but fund excellent schools and services.
• •Taylor ham vs. pork roll is a debate that will never be resolved. It depends on where in NJ you live.
• •NJ Transit can be frustrating but gets the job done for most commuters.
• •The state has excellent hiking in the northwest, from the Delaware Water Gap to High Point.
• •New Jersey has more horse farms than any state except Kentucky and California.

New Jersey is one of the most underrated states in the country. It offers proximity to two major cities, outstanding schools, beautiful beaches, and diverse communities. If you are ready for the move, Piece of Cake Moving and Storage handles relocations to and within New Jersey every day. Get your free quote and let us make your NJ move effortless.