NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — A majority of New Jersey residents continue to hold a negative outlook on the economy — both nationally and within the state — while many report increasing difficulty in affording basic necessities, according to a Rutgers-Eagleton Poll released Thursday.
The survey of 621 adults found that nearly eight in ten New Jerseyans (78%) rate the national economy as either “poor” or “only fair,” with just 19% calling it “good” or “excellent.” Fifty-five percent say the national economy has worsened in the past year, compared to just 21% who say it has improved.
“New Jerseyans are far from optimistic when it comes to current finances,” said Ashley Koning, director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling. “Many feel financial strain in their daily lives, including when it comes to affording basic needs.”
The state’s economy drew slightly more favorable reviews, though sentiment remains tepid. Just 2% of respondents called New Jersey’s economy “excellent” and 24% said “good,” while 70% rated it “only fair” or “poor.” Thirty-five percent believe the state’s economy has declined over the past year, while 51% said it has stayed the same.
Personal financial assessments were similarly grim. Forty-four percent of respondents say they are “falling behind financially,” up from previous polls, while only 6% say they are “getting ahead.” Nearly half say they are holding steady.
Low-income households were significantly more likely to report financial hardship, with 58% of respondents earning under $50,000 saying they are falling behind. These respondents were also more likely to report difficulty affording rent, groceries, utilities, healthcare, and transportation.
More than half of all respondents reported some level of difficulty affording major household expenses:
- 55% said rent or mortgage payments are “very” or “somewhat” difficult to afford
- 55% said the same of groceries and food
- 52% for health care and medical costs
- 50% for utility bills
- 60% for education-related expenses, among those for whom the question was applicable
“There are consistent disparities on how difficult it is to afford these basic costs by race and ethnicity, as well as income,” said David Martin, a research associate at Eagleton. “On many of these items, nonwhite residents find it more difficult than white residents, as do those in lower-income households.”
The poll, conducted June 13–16, has a margin of error of ±5.4 percentage points.