5 Reasons People Leave New Jersey

November 28, 2023

Homeowner Seller

Thinking of leaving New Jersey?

If you’ve been thinking of selling your New Jersey home and moving across the country, you’re not alone.

A migration study in 2020 showed that our beloved Garden State experienced the most outbound moves that year, throughout the whole country.

Not only that, but 70% of all those moves made by New Jersey residents in 2020 were actually residents leaving New Jersey.

Many are quite vocal about why they don’t like New Jersey, quoting “high taxes” as the predominant reason. But we know that’s only part of it.

Technology company movebuddha.com looked into specifics of why people leave New Jersey. So let’s talk about their list of top reasons people move out of our state:

1. Retirement

For many New Jerseyans, retirement is a turning point, prompting a move to more budget-friendly states.

The high cost of living (which we talk about further down this post) in our beloved Garden State can be daunting for those who don’t have an active income.

Retirees often seek places where their savings stretch further, without sacrificing lifestyle quality.

This quest leads them to states with lower living costs, milder climates, and retiree-friendly amenities.

2. Work Opportunities

In recent years, the pursuit of better job prospects has become a primary driver for people leaving New Jersey.

According to the study, a whopping 46% of those departing the New Jersey did so for employment reasons.

Many New Jersey residents are setting their sights on regions known for robust job markets and lower unemployment rates.

Notable examples include:

Idaho, where the unemployment rate stands at 2.9%
Iowa with about 2.7%, and
Utah, which has an unemployment rate of 2.6%

These figures paint a clear picture: for many, the promise of plentiful job opportunities is a compelling reason to relocate.

3. Cost of Living

A significant factor driving people away from New Jersey is its steep cost of living.

On average, living in New Jersey costs about $1,951 monthly, which is roughly 1.1x more than the overall average cost of living in the whole country. This puts New Jersey as the 12th most expensive state to be in.

To put this into perspective, let's do a comparison…

Someone in New Jersey is going to spend, on average, 49.9% more on general cost of living than someone living in, for example, Mississippi. Here’s some stats:

It costs 25.9% more to dine out at a restaurant, comparing New Jersey to Mississippi
37.9% more on transportation
51.8% more on housing
30.1% more on groceries
34.2% more for entertainment
25.6% more for clothing
and a whopping 240% more on childcare!

4. Education

Heading off to a college is, naturally, one of the main reasons younger people leave their home state.

And, as the last five years’ worth of data shows, New Jersey has been one of this country’s top exporters of students.

To put this in perspective, around 31,000 students left New Jersey for college in 2016, while the state welcomed just over 4,000 students from other states.

Cost is a key factor in this educational migration.

New Jersey ranks as the fourth most costly state for obtaining a four-year public education degree.

This high cost of education drives many students to seek more affordable options in other states.

5. Weather

Weather, often overlooked, is actually a significant factor in why some residents decide to leave New Jersey.

Unlike states blessed with almost year-round sunshine, New Jersey presents a mix of cold winters and warm, often humid, summers. This variability in weather doesn't always sit well with everyone.

Scientific studies suggest that prolonged exposure to less favorable weather can impact mood and overall happiness.

Given New Jersey's share of dreary and cold days, it's understandable why some residents might seek a climate that's more consistently sunny and mild.