New report says new jersey is actually a great place to live — OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA - NOVEMBER 18, 2020: A U-Haul rented moving truck parked in the ByWard Market area of Ottawa.

TRENTON, NJ – You’ve heard the news. New Jerseyans are fleeing the state, but aside from the deteriorating political climate in New Jersey, a new study says you might not want to leave after all.

New Jersey has been named the second-best state to live in America in 2023, based on a comprehensive study by the personal-finance website WalletHub. This recognition comes as 8.6% of Americans moved last year, slightly more than in the previous year, although still below pre-pandemic levels.

Diane Polk, Communications Manager for WalletHub, explained that the study was conducted to help Americans identify the best and most affordable places to live. WalletHub compared the 50 states across 51 key indicators of livability. These indicators ranged from housing costs and income growth to the education rate and quality of hospitals.

The results showcased New Jersey’s strength in several key areas, including:

7th in Percentage of Population in Poverty
7th in Restaurants per Capita
16th in Average Weekly Work Hours

However, the state also showed some areas for improvement:

24th in Percentage of Insured Population
24th in Percentage of Adults in Fair or Poor Health

These mixed results did not hinder New Jersey’s overall ranking, as it stood out particularly for its low poverty rate and vibrant dining scene. The full report and details of the criteria used for the ranking can be accessed on the WalletHub website.

New Jersey’s high ranking will likely attract the attention of potential movers, especially considering the uptick in relocations in the recent period. This recognition may also encourage local policymakers to continue working on the aspects that made the state stand out, while addressing areas in need of improvement.

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