Most New Jersey residents want to leave—and here’s why
West Long Branch, NJ – New Jerseyans say they enjoy living in their state, but a growing number are ready to move out.
A 2022 Monmouth University Poll found that nearly six in ten residents would like to leave the Garden State someday—the highest level since the poll began asking the question.
Even as most residents rate New Jersey positively, the state’s crushing property tax burden continues to push people toward the exits.
According to the survey, 59% of residents say they want to move elsewhere, up from about 50% a decade ago. That figure comes as the Garden State Quality of Life Index—a composite measure of satisfaction with local schools, neighborhoods, and environment—holds steady at +27, near its highest levels in 15 years.
Property taxes remain the top reason for the urge to leave, consistent with past findings. Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, said the results reveal a familiar frustration. “The numbers show people like where they live,” Murray said. “They just can’t afford it anymore.”
For many, that affordability crunch outweighs the pride New Jerseyans take in their towns, schools, and communities. While 64% of residents describe the state as an excellent or good place to live, the majority still dream of cheaper pastures elsewhere.
Property costs are not the only factor driving the discontent. Rising housing prices, utility costs, and insurance premiums all play a role, particularly for younger families and retirees living on fixed incomes. Many respondents named nearby states such as Pennsylvania and Delaware as attractive alternatives because of their lower overall costs.
The Monmouth poll also found that quality of life scores rose in most regions, particularly in the Central Hills, Northern Shore, and Delaware Valley areas. Only the state’s Urban Core and Northeast regions saw slight declines. That means people continue to value their local communities even as they grow frustrated with what it costs to stay there.
New Jersey’s paradox remains: residents love their neighborhoods and appreciate the state’s amenities, but they feel financially squeezed by the taxes that sustain them.