New Jersey
For Americans thinking of retiring to New Jersey from another state, or comparing it with a move abroad. Prices in New Jersey run at 108.8 against a US average of 100, with housing at 134.3. We cover New Jersey's 21 counties on the map below, each with a page of its own, and no town in depth yet.
Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (SARPP, line codes 1-5), 2024-12-31
New Jersey is not compared with a town — compare two towns instead. Why?
New Jersey, a state of the United States, is not the same kind of thing as a town: it spans many counties and very different places. Putting a state-wide average beside one town's own figures produces a number that looks like an answer and describes nothing a person would experience — so the engine refuses that pairing rather than rendering it thinly. A town against another town, here or abroad, is like-for-like. Build a comparison →
Research in progress. Our quality assessment of the official sources for the United States is not finished yet. Every figure published here is sourced and dated.
New Jersey's 21 counties
Every county in New Jersey on its own figures, against every US county that has the same figure. Pick a county on the map or in the list.
- Lowest fifth of US counties
- Middle fifth
- Highest fifth (darker = a larger share 65+)
- No figure
- At least one hospital rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- None in the county
- No figure
- Bottom fifth of US counties
- Middle fifth
- Top fifth (darker = cheaper)
- No figure
- Bottom fifth of US counties
- Middle fifth
- Top fifth (darker = lower)
- No figure
- Bottom fifth of US counties
- Middle fifth
- Top fifth (darker = lower)
- No figure
- Bottom fifth of US counties
- Middle fifth
- Top fifth (darker = more)
- No figure
- Bottom fifth of US counties
- Middle fifth
- Top fifth (darker = lower)
- No figure
Outlines: US Census Bureau, cartographic boundary files (2024). A fifth is among every US county holding the figure, so a color means the same thing in every state.
All 21 counties, with their figures
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Atlantic County
278,657 residents, 62,139 aged 65 or older (22.3 %)
- Cost of living
- 98.9 Cheaper than 11 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $8,039 Lower than 1 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 1 hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 5.3 per 100,000 a year Lower than 68 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 6.0 months a year More than 88 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.56 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 34 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $5,710 · Original + drug plan USD $7,762 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Atlantic City, Pleasantville, Hammonton (Census, 1 July 2024).
Atlantic County page → -
Bergen County
977,026 residents, 193,516 aged 65 or older (19.8 %)
- Cost of living
- 112.6 Cheaper than 0 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- Bergen County has no property-tax figure: the Census publishes no single median taxes paid or home value for it (too few sample cases, or a median beyond the end of its table).
- Healthcare access
- 5 hospitals in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 1.3 per 100,000 a year Lower than 99 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.36 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 47 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $5,170 · Original + drug plan USD $7,762 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Hackensack, Fort Lee, Fair Lawn (Census, 1 July 2024).
Bergen County page → -
Burlington County
481,439 residents, 96,424 aged 65 or older (20.0 %)
- Cost of living
- 102.6 Cheaper than 6 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $7,893 Lower than 1 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 3.3 per 100,000 a year Lower than 87 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.45 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 41 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $5,050 · Original + drug plan USD $7,762 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Burlington, Palmyra, Medford Lakes (Census, 1 July 2024).
Burlington County page → -
Camden County
535,799 residents, 97,328 aged 65 or older (18.2 %)
- Cost of living
- 102.6 Cheaper than 6 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $9,916 Lower than 0 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 6.8 per 100,000 a year Lower than 55 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.92 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 84 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $5,050 · Original + drug plan USD $7,762 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Camden, Lindenwold, Collingswood (Census, 1 July 2024).
Camden County page → -
Cape May County
93,390 residents, 30,877 aged 65 or older (33.1 %)
- Cost of living
- 98.9 Cheaper than 11 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $4,273 Lower than 28 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Cape May County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $2.22 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 15 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $5,725 · Original + drug plan USD $7,762 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Ocean City, Wildwood, North Wildwood (Census, 1 July 2024).
Cape May County page → -
Cumberland County
157,148 residents, 26,732 aged 65 or older (17.0 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.0 Cheaper than 20 % of the other 3,142 US counties Vineland, NJ metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $7,986 Lower than 1 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 9.3 per 100,000 a year Lower than 36 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 6.0 months a year More than 88 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.93 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 83 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $5,725 · Original + drug plan USD $7,762 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Vineland, Millville, Bridgeton (Census, 1 July 2024).
Cumberland County page → -
Essex County
896,379 residents, 130,079 aged 65 or older (14.5 %)
- Cost of living
- 112.6 Cheaper than 0 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- Essex County has no property-tax figure: the Census publishes no single median taxes paid or home value for it (too few sample cases, or a median beyond the end of its table).
- Healthcare access
- 2 hospitals in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 8.5 per 100,000 a year Lower than 42 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.17 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 63 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $7,762 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Newark, East Orange, Caldwell (Census, 1 July 2024).
Essex County page → -
Gloucester County
312,638 residents, 59,528 aged 65 or older (19.0 %)
- Cost of living
- 102.6 Cheaper than 6 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $9,083 Lower than 0 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 2.3 per 100,000 a year Lower than 94 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.83 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 90 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $5,050 · Original + drug plan USD $7,762 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Glassboro, Woodbury, Clayton (Census, 1 July 2024).
Gloucester County page → -
Hudson County
735,033 residents, 93,609 aged 65 or older (12.7 %)
- Cost of living
- 112.6 Cheaper than 0 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $6,196 Lower than 6 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 3.0 per 100,000 a year Lower than 88 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.65 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 30 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $7,762 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Jersey City, Bayonne, Union City (Census, 1 July 2024).
Hudson County page → -
Hunterdon County
131,781 residents, 30,795 aged 65 or older (23.4 %)
- Cost of living
- 112.6 Cheaper than 0 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- Hunterdon County has no property-tax figure: the Census publishes no single median taxes paid or home value for it (too few sample cases, or a median beyond the end of its table).
- Healthcare access
- 1 hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Hunterdon County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.33 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 50 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $5,170 · Original + drug plan USD $7,762 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Flemington, Lambertville, High Bridge (Census, 1 July 2024).
Hunterdon County page → -
Mercer County
399,289 residents, 67,878 aged 65 or older (17.0 %)
- Cost of living
- 103.2 Cheaper than 5 % of the other 3,142 US counties Trenton-Princeton, NJ metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $8,256 Lower than 1 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 1 hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 9.0 per 100,000 a year Lower than 38 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.58 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 33 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $7,762 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Trenton, Princeton, Hightstown (Census, 1 July 2024).
Mercer County page → -
Middlesex County
883,335 residents, 153,781 aged 65 or older (17.4 %)
- Cost of living
- 112.6 Cheaper than 0 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $7,343 Lower than 2 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 2 hospitals in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 2.3 per 100,000 a year Lower than 94 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.24 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 57 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $5,470 · Original + drug plan USD $7,762 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: New Brunswick, Perth Amboy, Sayreville (Census, 1 July 2024).
Middlesex County page → -
Monmouth County
651,035 residents, 139,576 aged 65 or older (21.4 %)
- Cost of living
- 112.6 Cheaper than 0 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- Monmouth County has no property-tax figure: the Census publishes no single median taxes paid or home value for it (too few sample cases, or a median beyond the end of its table).
- Healthcare access
- 3 hospitals in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 1.4 per 100,000 a year Lower than 99 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.42 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 43 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $7,762 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Long Branch, Tinton Falls, Asbury Park (Census, 1 July 2024).
Monmouth County page → -
Morris County
524,251 residents, 104,746 aged 65 or older (20.0 %)
- Cost of living
- 112.6 Cheaper than 0 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- Morris County has no property-tax figure: the Census publishes no single median taxes paid or home value for it (too few sample cases, or a median beyond the end of its table).
- Healthcare access
- 2 hospitals in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 0.9 per 100,000 a year Lower than 100 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.30 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 51 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $7,762 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Morristown, Dover, Madison (Census, 1 July 2024).
Morris County page → -
Ocean County
673,746 residents, 161,510 aged 65 or older (24.0 %)
- Cost of living
- 112.6 Cheaper than 0 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $5,765 Lower than 9 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 2 hospitals in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 1.3 per 100,000 a year Lower than 99 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 6.0 months a year More than 88 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.47 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 40 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $5,638 · Original + drug plan USD $7,762 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Point Pleasant, Beachwood, Point Pleasant Beach (Census, 1 July 2024).
Ocean County page → -
Passaic County
531,624 residents, 88,270 aged 65 or older (16.6 %)
- Cost of living
- 112.6 Cheaper than 0 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- Passaic County has no property-tax figure: the Census publishes no single median taxes paid or home value for it (too few sample cases, or a median beyond the end of its table).
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 5.0 per 100,000 a year Lower than 71 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.43 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 43 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $5,170 · Original + drug plan USD $7,762 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Paterson, Clifton, Passaic (Census, 1 July 2024).
Passaic County page → -
Salem County
66,280 residents, 13,585 aged 65 or older (20.5 %)
- Cost of living
- 102.6 Cheaper than 6 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $10,256 Lower than 0 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 10.2 per 100,000 a year Lower than 33 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.80 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 24 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $7,762 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Salem, Penns Grove, Woodstown (Census, 1 July 2024).
Salem County page → -
Somerset County
356,486 residents, 67,220 aged 65 or older (18.9 %)
- Cost of living
- 112.6 Cheaper than 0 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- Somerset County has no property-tax figure: the Census publishes no single median taxes paid or home value for it (too few sample cases, or a median beyond the end of its table).
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 1.4 per 100,000 a year Lower than 99 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.37 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 47 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $7,762 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: North Plainfield, Somerville, Bound Brook (Census, 1 July 2024).
Somerset County page → -
Sussex County
148,063 residents, 31,196 aged 65 or older (21.1 %)
- Cost of living
- 112.6 Cheaper than 0 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $8,118 Lower than 1 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 1 hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Sussex County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.07 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 72 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $5,170 · Original + drug plan USD $7,762 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Hopatcong, Newton, Franklin (Census, 1 July 2024).
Sussex County page → -
Union County
601,863 residents, 94,010 aged 65 or older (15.6 %)
- Cost of living
- 112.6 Cheaper than 0 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- Union County has no property-tax figure: the Census publishes no single median taxes paid or home value for it (too few sample cases, or a median beyond the end of its table).
- Healthcare access
- 2 hospitals in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 3.7 per 100,000 a year Lower than 83 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.20 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 59 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $7,762 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Elizabeth, Plainfield, Linden (Census, 1 July 2024).
Union County page → -
Warren County
112,953 residents, 24,451 aged 65 or older (21.6 %)
- Cost of living
- 100.0 Cheaper than 10 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $8,201 Lower than 1 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 2 hospitals in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Warren County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.47 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 40 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $7,762 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Phillipsburg, Hackettstown, Washington (Census, 1 July 2024).
Warren County page →
Sources: US Census Bureau, county population estimates by age, 1 July 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, all items, of each county's metropolitan area or its state's nonmetropolitan portion; The state's published 2025 income-tax rules, the county's own local income tax where one is levied, and the county's Census ACS property-tax ratio, applied to the example household; CMS, Hospital General Information (Care Compare), hospital overall star rating, release of 13 Aug 2026; CDC WONDER, Underlying Cause of Death 2018-2024 (Single Race, final), by county of residence; CHELSA V2.1 monthly maximum temperature, 1981-2010 (~1 km), averaged over the county, Karger et al.; FEMA, National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), county expected annual loss to buildings (EAL_VALB); CMS, Medicare Advantage and Part D Landscape, plan year 2027; CMS, 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles (fact sheet, 14 Nov 2025).
Where New Jersey stands, on the six criteria
New Jersey's six figures are the ones that set its place on the state ranking, where it sits in Tier 10 of 16. Each is measured for the whole of New Jersey, not for any single place within it.
| Criterion | New Jersey |
|---|---|
| Cost of living BEA price level, all items (US = 100); lower is better |
108.8 Cheaper than 6% of the other 50 · housing 134.3 · goods 107.1 · utilities 114.2 · other services 103.5
BEA Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (SARPP, line codes 1-5) · figure for 2024 · checked 2026-08-28
|
| Taxes on a retired couple state and local tax on the example retired couple, USD a year; lower is better |
USD $7,387 (90% margin USD $7,360–$7,414) Lower than 0% of the other 50
Each state's published 2025 income-tax rules and the Census ACS property-tax ratio, applied to the example household · figure for 2025
|
| Healthcare access share of residents 65+ living in a county with a 4- or 5-star CMS hospital; higher is better |
68 % of residents 65+ Higher than 60% of the other 50
CMS, Hospital General Information (Care Compare), hospital overall star rating, release of 13 Aug 2026, weighted by each county's population 65+ (US Census Bureau, 1 July 2025) · figure for 2026 · checked 2026-10-27
|
| Safety homicides per 100,000 a year, 2020–2024, by state of residence; lower is better |
3.6 per 100,000 a year (95% interval 3.4–3.8) Lower than 74% of the other 50
CDC WONDER, Underlying Cause of Death 2018-2024 (Single Race, final), by state of residence · figure for 2024 · checked 2026-10-27
|
| Climate months a year whose mean daily high is 18–29 °C (64–84 °F), 1981–2010; more is better |
5.0 months a year More than 74% of the other 50
CHELSA V2.1 monthly maximum temperature, 1981-2010 (~1 km), averaged over the county, Karger et al., weighted by each county's population 65+ (US Census Bureau, 1 July 2025) · figure for 2010 · checked 2026-10-27
|
| Natural-hazard risk expected yearly loss to buildings from natural hazards, per USD $1,000 of buildings; lower is better |
USD $1.34 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 54% of the other 50
FEMA, National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), state expected annual loss to buildings (EAL_VALB) · figure for 2025 · checked 2026-10-27
|
Medicare in New Jersey
For the published example couple, both 67 and married: what Medicare premiums cost a year for two in New Jersey, and the most a bad year can cost. What care itself costs depends on a person's health, so it is not estimated here.
Medicare Advantage, with drug coverage
USD $5,050 a year for two in premiums (from USD $4,870)
At most USD $23,670 in a bad year (from USD $19,170), with each person's in-network out-of-pocket maximum
The middle of the 28 plans offered here; "from" is the lowest premium among them.
Original Medicare, with a drug plan
USD $7,762 a year for two in premiums (from USD $4,997)
Medigap: no federal price list — not in this total.
No yearly maximum on Original Medicare alone.
Part B for two, plus the middle of the 11 standalone drug plans offered in the state.
The middle of New Jersey's 21 counties, weighted by residents 65 or older (US Census Bureau, 1 July 2025).
The 2027 Part B premium is not yet published (CMS usually publishes it in November); 2026's is used.
Source: CMS, Medicare Advantage and Part D Landscape, plan year 2027; CMS, 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles (fact sheet, 14 Nov 2025).
New Jersey adds no Medigap enrollment right beyond the federal six-month open enrollment period, which starts the month you are 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. New Jersey's rule
Free, official Medicare counseling in New Jersey: State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), 1-800-792-8820 (the State Health Insurance Assistance Program).
Retiring to New Jersey: pros and cons, by the figures
Retiring to New Jersey, judged on the six figures above: a pro is a figure in the top fifth of the states, a con one in the bottom fifth. Figures in between get no verdict.
Pros
None of New Jersey's six figures is in the top fifth of the states.
Cons
- Cost of living: dearer than 94% of the other 50 (108.8). BEA Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (SARPP, line codes 1-5)
- Taxes on a retired couple: higher than 100% of the other 50 (USD $7,387). Each state's published 2025 income-tax rules and the Census ACS property-tax ratio, applied to the example household
Also shown, not scored
New Jersey's other state-wide figures: shown for context, not part of its tier. Measured for the whole of New Jersey — not for any single place within it.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
|
Population
Total resident population, US Census Bureau estimate for 1 July 2025.
How this is measuredTotal resident population, Census Bureau estimate as of 1 July 2025, as reported in SSA's Table 1. Bigger is not better — this axis exists for context, never for ranking. |
9,548,215 people |
|
Population 65 plus
Residents aged 65 or older, US Census Bureau estimate for 1 July 2025.
How this is measuredResident population aged 65 or older, Census Bureau estimate as of 1 July 2025, as reported in SSA's Table 1. |
1,767,250 people |
|
Social security beneficiary share
Everyone receiving Social Security — retired, disabled, survivors and dependants — as a share of the population, 2025.
How this is measuredAll OASDI beneficiaries — retired workers, disabled workers, survivors and dependants — as a percentage of the total resident population. SSA Table 1 (2025), population as of 1 July 2025. Not the same measure as the county-level retired-worker share. |
18.6 percent |
Source for every figure: SSA Table 1 (2025) · Census population as of 1 July 2025 · figure for 2025 · checked 2026-08-28 Official source
Taxes on a retired couple in New Jersey
We apply New Jersey's published rules for tax year 2025 to one example household and show the sum, line by line. These are rules already in force for 2025, not a projection.
The example household
| Filing status | married filing jointly, both aged 67 |
|---|---|
| Social Security | USD $45,000 a year, combined |
| Private pension | USD $25,000 a year |
| IRA or 401(k) withdrawal | USD $20,000 a year |
| Home, for property tax | USD $350,000 |
An illustrative household, the same for every state so states can be compared. Each spouse holds half of each income. Your own figures will differ.
New Jersey's rules applied
Federal income tax is left out: it is the same in every state, so it cannot separate them. Sales tax is left out too: it depends on what a household buys, and no state publishes an average of its local rates. The rate is listed below.
The rules behind the sum
- Top income-tax rate: 10.75 % New Jersey Division of Taxation, 2025 NJ-1040 Instructions, Tax Rate Schedule Table B · checked Oct 26, 2026
- Federal Social Security is not taxable: 100 % of it New Jersey Division of Taxation, 2025 NJ-1040 Instructions, income not taxable · checked Oct 26, 2026
- Pension/retirement income exclusion, joint, income up to USD $100,000: USD $100,000, from age 62 New Jersey Division of Taxation, 2025 NJ-1040 Instructions, Line 28a · checked Oct 26, 2026
- Regular exemption: USD $1,000 per person New Jersey Division of Taxation, 2025 NJ-1040 Instructions, Line 6 · checked Oct 26, 2026
- Senior 65+ exemption: USD $1,000 per person, from age 65 New Jersey Division of Taxation, 2025 NJ-1040 Instructions, Line 7 · checked Oct 26, 2026
- State sales and use tax 6.625 %: 6.625 % New Jersey Division of Taxation, 2025 NJ-1040 Instructions, Use Tax worksheet · checked Oct 26, 2026
We don't cover a town in New Jersey yet. See the towns we cover in the United States.
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