Why Everyone’s Leaving New Jersey (And Where They’re Going)
Another family hitting the road—leaving behind high taxes and cold winters for a fresh start out of state. Are you next?
Living in New Jersey has always come with a certain badge of honor. You survive jughandles, Parkway traffic, and paying $20 for a Taylor ham, egg, and cheese brunch. But lately, that badge feels less like pride and more like punishment. More homeowners than ever are selling their houses, taking their equity, and fleeing to places where life is cheaper, sunnier, and a lot less bureaucratic.
So why are people leaving, and where exactly are they going? Let’s break it down—with numbers, not just gripes.
Why People Are Leaving in Record Numbers
New Jersey residents are fleeing primarily because of the tax burden. In 2024, the average property tax bill hit a record $10,095 statewide, the first time it cracked five figures. In Bergen, Essex, and Somerset Counties, many homeowners paid between $11,000 and $13,000 annually. That’s a Florida vacation every single year… burned up on property taxes.
It doesn’t stop there. The effective property tax rate is 2.23%, the highest in the nation, compared to a national average of 0.91%. Add on a top income tax rate of 10.75%, a 6.625% sales tax, and some of the most expensive insurance premiums in the country, and you see why residents feel squeezed from every angle. When you total it up, New Jersey households surrender about 12.9% of their income to state and local taxes, among the highest rates nationwide.
The migration data backs this up. Between July 2023 and July 2024, New Jersey lost more than 35,000 residents to net domestic migration, the fourth-worst in the nation. United Van Lines reported that 67% of their New Jersey moves were outbound. Either way, the story is the same: people are leaving.
The Top States Where New Jerseyans Move
Florida tops the list, attracting about one in five of all outbound New Jersey movers. The appeal is obvious. There’s no state income tax, property taxes average just 0.80%, and homes cost less than in North Jersey suburbs. Retirees stretch their pensions further, families keep more of their paychecks, and everyone swaps snow shovels for beaches and golf courses. Insurance premiums are rising in coastal counties, and summers can feel like living inside a sauna, but when your $12,000 New Jersey property tax bill drops to $3,500 in Florida, you’ll find a way to buy more sunscreen.
The Carolinas are next in line. Both North and South Carolina offer lower housing costs, milder winters, and property taxes that make New Jerseyans weep with envy. South Carolina’s average effective rate is just 0.52%. Charlotte and Raleigh have strong job markets drawing younger families, while Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head are filling up with retirees. In many communities, you’ll find transplanted Jersey diners, bagel shops, and Wawas opening to make the move feel less foreign.
Pennsylvania is the closest escape hatch. Property taxes there average 1.27%, housing is more affordable, and the commute back to Jersey for work or family is still manageable. Many retirees head to Lancaster County, while families settle in Bucks or Monroe Counties for suburban living without the sticker shock.
Then there are the Sunbelt states like Texas and Arizona. Texas offers no state income tax and plenty of jobs in its major metro areas. Property taxes run higher than in Florida, but overall costs are still well below New Jersey. Arizona has become a haven for retirees who want warmth without humidity. Phoenix and Scottsdale are drawing snowbirds who once spent winters in Cape May or Wildwood, but no longer want to pay Jersey prices year-round.
Cost of Living Comparison
Here’s how the math shakes out when you compare New Jersey to some of the most popular relocation states:
StateAvg Property Tax BillState Income TaxMedian Home Price (2024)Annual Savings vs. NJ (est.)New Jersey$10,095Up to 10.75%$525,000+ (North Jersey)—Florida$3,500None$400,000$6,500–$8,000+South Carolina$2,000–$3,0000–6.5%$350,000$7,000–$9,000+North Carolina$2,800–$3,2004.75% flat$380,000$6,000–$7,000+Pennsylvania$5,000–$6,0003.07% flat$300,000$3,000–$4,000+Texas$4,800–$6,500None$340,000$4,000–$6,000+Arizona$3,000–$4,0002.5% flat$430,000$5,000–$7,000+
Even conservative estimates show thousands in savings each year. Over ten years, a New Jersey family could pocket $60,000 to $90,000 simply by moving to a lower-tax state. That’s college tuition, retirement padding, or a lot of weekends in Disney.
The Jersey Pride Paradox
New Jerseyans love to complain about property taxes and politicians, but the second someone in Florida says the pizza or bagels are better, watch the fists fly. Pride doesn’t vanish just because you relocate—it just becomes nostalgia while you enjoy more financial freedom elsewhere.
Should You Stay or Should You Go?
People hit a breaking point at different times. For some, it’s the property tax bill that rivals a car payment. For others, it’s the 5 a.m. snow shovel before a two-hour commute. For many retirees, it’s realizing their fixed income won’t cover another decade of New Jersey living. Whatever the trigger, they’re leaving, and they’re not imagining the savings.
If you’re thinking about your own escape, the question isn’t just Should I go? but Where will I be happiest? That depends on your budget, lifestyle, and how far from Jersey bagels you can stand to be.
