A recent ranking from Wallethub just outlined the best states to live in, and while our favorite state may not have made the top 10, our neighbors just across the river were ranked as number two.
That puts the Garden State just behind Idaho, which took the top spot, and ahead of Wisconsin, Massachusetts and New Hampshire to round out the top five.
For a region where crossing the river is practically a way of life, this ranking feels especially fitting. New Yorkers already flock to New Jersey for its beaches, restaurants, concerts, nature and weekend escapes—now a new study says there’s even more to love about our neighbor across the Hudson.
Behind the Methodology: How the Livability Study Works
Rather than relying on subjective popularity contests or asking residents where they’d like to live, WalletHub’s 2026 analysis evaluates all 50 states through a data-driven lens across 51 distinct indicators. To capture a complete picture of everyday quality of life, the study weights five core categories:
- Affordability (housing costs, tax burdens, and overall cost of living)
- Economy (job growth, unemployment, wealth building, and median income)
- Education & Health (school quality, healthcare access, and life expectancy)
- Quality of Life (access to parks, cultural amenities, weather, and leisure)
- Safety (violent and property crime rates)
High Income & Top-Tier Safety: Why New Jersey Claimed the #2 Spot
While New Jersey is famously far from budget-friendly—landing near the bottom at 49th for overall affordability—it overwhelmingly compensates across nearly every other metric. The Garden State dominated several key categories, ranking #1 nationwide for safety, #7 for education and health, and #9 for overall quality of life
WalletHub highlighted several standout factors driving New Jersey’s high score:
- Financial Stability: The state boasts the 3rd-highest median household income in the country (nearly $104,000), coupled with exceptionally low levels of household debt and low poverty rates.
- Exceptional Health Outcomes: New Jersey posted the nation’s 2nd-lowest premature death rate, 3rd-lowest obesity rate, and 3rd-highest life expectancy.
- Active Lifestyle Infrastructure: Residents benefit from abundant outdoor access, including the 6th-most miles of trails and 5th-most fitness centers per capita in the country.
- Peace of Mind: The state scored 9th for lowest violent crime rates and 17th for property crime nationwide.
How Did New York Fare? The Empire State’s Quality of Life Win
New York delivered a strong showing of its own, landing at No. 12 overall in WalletHub’s national ranking. Here is how the Empire State performed across the major categories:
- Overall Rank: #12 nationwide
- Quality of Life: #1 nationwide (driven by top-tier cultural amenities, dining, and transit)
- Safety: #7 nationwide
- Education & Health: #16 nationwide
- Economy: #22 nationwide
- Affordability: #47 nationwide (its biggest weakness, impacted by high housing costs)
Beyond the Ranking: Favorite Ways to Experience the Garden State
We love the Garden State! Whether you’re cross-state commuting or planning a weekend day trip, New Jersey offers plenty of top-tier experiences worth crossing the river for:
- Escape to the Shore: Beyond the reality TV stereotypes, the Jersey Coast boasts over 130 miles of coastline—from quiet family towns like Cape May and Ocean City to lively boardwalks in Asbury Park.
- Catch Live Music: From legendary rock hubs like the Stone Pony in Asbury Park to massive stadium tours at MetLife Stadium and Prudential Center, NJ is a world-class concert stop.
- Sample the Local Food Scene: Beyond world-famous diner culture and pork roll/taylor ham, New Jersey features a thriving, diverse culinary landscape—including legendary thin-crust pizza, fresh seafood along the coast, and authentic global dining.
- Stroll Through Cherry Blossoms: Every spring, Branch Brook Park in Newark blooms with over 5,300 cherry blossom trees—a collection even larger than Washington, D.C.’s famous display.
