AFFORDABLE PLACE TO LIVE
Policies that Address New Jersey’s High Cost of Living
AFFORDABLE PLACE TO LIVE
Survey after survey of Garden State residents reveals an indisputable truth, our state’s high cost of living, driven by one of the nation’s highest tax burdens, is forcing residents to leave our state. The Garden State Initiative advocates for reforms that force the government to live within its means while making our state an attractive and affordable place to call home.
STAY IN THE LOOP WITH NEW JERSEY AFFORDABLE PLACE TO LIVE
$9,490
Average Property Tax Bill
The highest in the United States.
$474,669
Average Home Value
32.8% higher than U.S. average of $357,319 (Source: Zillow)
49th
Rank for Retirement
Rank for Retirement: 49th – driven primarily by taxes and cost of living (Source: Wallet Hub).
13.2%
State and Local Tax Burden
5th highest in the country vs. 11.2% United States average (Source: Tax Foundation).
FEATURED POST
PODCAST: Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio on NJ Budget: Cut Spending and Property Taxes
June 21, 2024
Welcome to the GSI Briefing podcast – hosted by Regina Egea of the Garden State Initiative. In this series, GSI traveled to the State House in Trenton for one-on-one interviews with legislators, business leaders, and members of the press to discuss Governor Murphy’s latest budget proposal and GSI’s recent report, New Jersey’s Fiscal Cliff Explained. In this episode, Regina Egea speaks with NJ Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio regarding…
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THE LATEST WORK ON AFFORDABLE PLACE TO LIVE
PODCAST: Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio on NJ Budget: Cut Spending and Property Taxes
June 21, 2024
Welcome to the GSI Briefing podcast – hosted by Regina Egea of the Garden State Initiative. In this series, GSI traveled to the State…
PODCAST: NJ Senator Steinhardt on Budget Gimmicks, School Funding and the Highlands Act
May 31, 2024
Welcome to the GSI Briefing podcast – hosted by Regina Egea of the Garden State Initiative. In this series, GSI traveled to the State…
RELEASE: GSI Statement on Governor Murphy’s State of the State Address
January 9, 2024
In response to Governor Murphy's State of the State Address, GSI President Regina Egea released the following statement: "As expected,…
What now? New Jersey has to hit the reset button on its energy policy — and get it right
November 8, 2023
Depending on where you stand when it comes to offshore wind development, the recent stunning announcement by the Danish power…
GSI’s EGEA: The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia coincident indexes report is, “is another indication that New Jersey’s economic outlook is bleak.”
October 25, 2023
Garden State Initiative’s president, Regina M. Egea, issued the following statement on the The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia September…
GSI’s EGEA: September ‘23 Jobs Report
October 19, 2023
Garden State Initiative’s president, Regina M. Egea, issued the following statement on the September ‘23 Jobs Report: “Today’s report forecasts…
PODCAST: Electric Cars for Everyone in New Jersey?
September 18, 2023
Welcome to the GSI Briefing podcast – featuring guest host Audrey Lane, Policy Director of the Garden State Initiative. By now you’ve probably heard that Governor…
Enough talking. It’s time to deliver affordable and reliable energy to New Jersey
September 18, 2023
For years, there has been a small group of voices questioning the true cost to ratepayers of implementing Gov. Phil…
Why we must empower New Jersey’s public sector workers with benefits reform
August 28, 2023
New Jersey taxpayers need to be aware of the potential hurdles they may face if changes are not made to…
What NYC’s Congestion Pricing Means for New Jersey
August 4, 2023
With the recent approval from federal transportation officials, New York City is poised to become the first city in the…
The Importance of Education Funding Efficiency in New Jersey
August 3, 2023
New Jersey's school funding formula allocates three types of aid to school districts annually: equalization aid, categorical aid, and grants…
GSI’s Egea: “Let’s call this budget what it is: A fiscal calamity”
June 30, 2023
Garden State Initiative’s president, Regina M. Egea, issued the following statement on the passage of New Jersey’s Fiscal Year 2024…
StayNJ: Election Year Politics at its Worst
June 23, 2023
Despite the claims of many legislative leaders and Gov. Murphy, there’s broad consensus about the compromise agreement on the StayNJ…
A Tax Deduction for Union Dues but Not NJ Charities?
June 22, 2023
Talk about misplaced priorities! It was reported this week that Assemblymembers Anthony Verrelli (D-Hunterdon/Mercer) and Raj Mukherji (D-Hudson) have introduced…
Here are the 13 towns with the highest property tax bills in NJ
June 6, 2023
New Jersey property taxes remain among the most expensive of any state in the nation, but some towns illustrate the…
Trenton’s Health Benefits “Solutions” Fail NJ Taxpayers
June 5, 2023
A new report issued by the New Jersey State Treasury, researched by Aon, a management consulting firm, made the startling…
Trenton Failing to Make NJ More Affordable for Seniors
March 31, 2023
For retirees leaving their hometown and relocating out of state is a tough decision. It’s saying goodbye to family, friends,…
Is the Tax Reform Revolution Passing New Jersey By?
March 16, 2023
In a little more than a month, on April 18th, New Jerseyans will face the deadline to file their tax…
NJ state budget: This is why Democrats ‘do not want drama’
March 7, 2023
With an address outlining his proposed budget for New Jersey's fiscal year 2024, Gov. Phil Murphy has handed off the…
GSI’s Regina Egea Talks Business & Economy on “New Jersey Politics”
January 24, 2023
GSI's Regina Egea appeared on the January 22nd edition of "New Jersey Politics with Laura Jones" for a wide ranging…
New Jersey ranks at the rock bottom financially, according to a new study | Opinion
December 20, 2022
By Thomas J. Healey It’s easy for New Jersey taxpayers to feel positive about their government’s financial condition. First full…
GSI’s Egea Talks NJ Taxes & Economy on The Dawn Stensland Show
November 18, 2022
GSI's Regina Egea joined The Dawn Stensland Show on 1210 WPHT in Philadelphia to discuss New Jersey's economy and her…
More Bang for Our Buck: Revisiting the Garden State’s Clean Energy Subsidies
November 15, 2022
Analysis for GSI by Danielle Zanzalari, Ph.D. A recent poll from Pew Research shows that a majority of U.S. adults…
Reality Check: Governor, NJ’s Taxes Aren’t Going Down
November 7, 2022
New Jerseyans have developed a thick skin when it comes to tolerating what can only kindly be called the “exaggerations”…
New Study Rates NJ’s Governor an “F” for Fiscal Policies
October 17, 2022
When it comes to fiscal responsibility New Jersey’s Gov. Phil Murphy finds himself in bad company as one of just…
How much will NJ taxpayers and public workers get slammed by health plan hikes?
October 14, 2022
As health insurance sign-up season begins, everyone is bracing for hikes in their premiums. But one group already knows that…
PODCAST: Pennsylvania’s Plans to Grow Prosperity Are a Lesson for New Jersey
October 1, 2022
In this episode of the GSI Briefing, we are taking a look across the Delaware River to Pennsylvania who recently…
PODCAST: New Jersey’s Crystal Ball: Where Our State is Headed
August 25, 2022
Welcome to the GSI Briefing podcast – hosted by Regina Egea, President of the Garden State Initiative. In this episode of the GSI Briefing, we’re…
Following Europe’s Energy Lead Will Leave NJ Families in the Dark & Cold – GSI
August 9, 2022
By Regina M. Egea, President, GSI Sometimes you have to wonder if anyone in Trenton is paying attention to what’s…
PODCAST: Where the Jobs Are: NJ’s Employment Outlook
July 27, 2022
Welcome to the GSI Briefing podcast – hosted by Regina Egea, President of the Garden State Initiative. In this special edition of the GSI…
“There are no tax cuts” – GSI’s Egea Fact Checks the Budget Rhetoric with Joe Piscopo
June 30, 2022
On Thursday morning GSI’s president Regina Egea joined host Joe Piscopo on Salem Media’s AM 970 radio to fact check…
GSI’s Egea: Disappointing Budget a “Lost Opportunity” for New Jersey
June 29, 2022
$50.6 billion budget represents a 46% spending increase in 5 years Garden State Initiative president Regina M. Egea issued the…
Combat Inflation in New Jersey with a Balanced Growth Agenda
June 23, 2022
Combat Inflation in New Jersey with a Balanced Growth Agenda Analysis for GSI by Danielle Zanzalari, Ph.D. New Jersey’s legislature…
An Opportunity for Relief the Pump – GSI
May 17, 2022
By William J. Smith, GSI Staff With gas prices reaching record highs across the U.S., New Jersey’s high taxes on…
Podcast: Veterans Are Being Left Out in New Jersey
May 10, 2022
Welcome to the GSI Briefing podcast – hosted by Regina Egea, President of the Garden State Initiative. This episode features Regina’s conversation with Col.…
PODCAST: You Can’t Escape Death and New Jersey’s Taxes
April 19, 2022
Welcome to the GSI Briefing podcast – hosted by Regina Egea, President of the Garden State Initiative. This episode features two leading voices on…
Governor’s Budget Offers No Relief for Renters – GSI
March 29, 2022
By William J. Smith, GSI Staff In his announcement of ANCHOR, the latest attempt by Trenton at property tax relief…
GSI’s Egea: Budget Gimmicks Do Nothing to Address Affordability
March 8, 2022
View fullsize Regina M. Egea Garden State Initiative’s president, Regina M. Egea, issued the following statement on Governor Phil…
What Drives Outmigration? Trenton’s Policies Have Consequences – GSI
January 5, 2022
By William J. Smith, GSI StaffHealthy states are growing states. New Jersey is not a healthy state. This reality is…
GSI’s Egea Discusses NJ’s Retiree Exodus on NJ Now
December 6, 2021
Regina Egea recently joined Dianne Doctor on My9's NJ Now to discuss GSI's new report "Retirees and New Jersey: How…
PODCAST: How can New Jersey stop the exodus of retirees from our state?
November 23, 2021
In this episode of The GSI Briefing, Regina Egea is joined by Dan Geltrude to discuss several important financial topics outlined…
Retirees and New Jersey: How we can be Perfect Together
November 22, 2021
Analysis highlights policy solutions to keep New Jersey Retirees close to their families As many New Jersey families gather around…
ROI-NJ: Report offers 4 ways to make N.J. an easier place to retire
November 22, 2021
By Tom BergeronMake all retirement income tax-exempt. It’s a simple thing. One that other states do. One that isn’t considered…
Retirees and New Jersey: How we can be Perfect Together
November 22, 2021
Analysis highlights policy solutions to keep New Jersey Retirees close to their families Click to read the report As many…
New Jersey Workers in Their Prime Among Hardest Hit in U.S. – GSI
September 15, 2021
By William J. Smith, GSI StaffA new report from Pew Trusts illustrates the severity of New Jersey’s employment crisis.Among workers…
NJ.com: Just how expensive is renewable energy? Can we afford it?
August 5, 2021
By Regina M. EgeaWould you sign a lease for an apartment without knowing the monthly rent? As Garden State Initiative…
New Jersey’s Energy Future: At What Cost to You?
August 4, 2021
REPORT EXAMINES NJ’S ENERGY MASTER PLAN, THE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS ON IMPACT TO RESIDENTS, AND CALLS FOR PAUSE UNTIL COST ANALYSIS…
PODCAST: Making South Jersey a Millennial Magnet with Sen. Mike Testa
July 13, 2021
Regina Egea, host of The GSI Briefing podcast and president of the Garden State Initiative, speaks with State Senator Michael…
New Jersey: A Great Place to Live, If You Can Afford It – GSI
June 24, 2021
By William J. Smith, GSI StaffLet’s be clear, we love New Jersey and if you’re reading this piece, you probably…
Give Citizens the Power to Force our State to Live Within its Means – GSI
May 19, 2021
By William J. Smith, GSI StaffIn election after election and poll after poll, high taxes consistently are the number one…
GSI Analysis: What’s Behind New Jersey’s Surprising Census Results?
April 28, 2021
Analysis for GSI by Charles Steindel, Ph.D. Click to download this report This week the Census Bureau released the official…
NJ Spotlight: Buoyed by investor response, NJ to move on $4B in COVID borrowing
November 18, 2020
By John ReitmeyerGov. Phil Murphy’s administration is expected to sign off Wednesday on a debt sale that will bring in…
Gas Taxes Increase 22%
October 2, 2020
NJTV News: NJ gas tax increase hits drivers at worst timeGSI’s president Regina Egea was among those interviewed by NJTV…
NJ Spotlight: If you Buy Gas in New Jersey, You Might be Paying More Before Long. Here’s Why
July 27, 2020
By John ReitmeyerNew Jersey motorists should know within a matter of weeks whether they are going to get hit with…
Center Square NJ: Plan to furlough New Jersey state employees might rely on federal funding
April 30, 2020
By Sarah Downey(The Center Square) – As the economic impact of COVID-19 continues to chip away at state finances, New Jersey…
Press of Atlantic City: State letting lockdown diminish public oversight of big toll hikes
March 30, 2020
A 2018 report from the Pew Charitable Trusts warned motorists that states were turning to toll roads “to fill treasuries…
NJ Spotlight: Atlantic City Expressway Is Latest NJ Road Being Eyed for a Toll Hike
March 30, 2020
by John ReitmeyerThe Atlantic City Expressway is the latest New Jersey toll road for which a plan is in the…
NorthJersey.com: There’s a coming coronavirus tax crisis. How will it hit NJ’s budget and your tax bills?
March 24, 2020
by Stacey Barchenger and Ashley BalcerzakThe consequences of the rapidly-spreading novel coronavirus — from business closures to widespread work-from-home mandates —…
NJ.com: NJ Property Taxes Hit Another New High Last Year
March 5, 2020
By Samantha MarcusNew Jersey’s sky-high property taxes rose 2.1 percent statewide in 2019, an increase Gov. Phil Murphy says is proof his…
APP.com: Murphy’s budget plan more depressing news for NJ’s middle class
February 26, 2020
Some context is in order for assessing Gov. Murphy’s third annual budget, which he unveiled today with a renewed call for a…
NorthJersey.com: Census expected to prove that yes, people are fleeing NJ and NY for cheaper places to live
February 24, 2020
by David M. ZimmerIn a little more than a month, workers for the U.S. Census Bureau will start counting people nationwide…
NJ.com: Mulshine – Under Governor Phil Murphy, the state of the state is heading south
January 15, 2020
by Paul MulshineIf you were watching the NCAA football championship game Monday night as I was, you might have noticed…
BurlCo Times: Poll: 44% of NJ residents planning to move away
November 27, 2019
by David LevinskyThe poll by Fairleigh Dickinson University and the Garden State Initiative found that 44% of New Jersey residents…
GSI/FDU Poll: Nearly Half of Residents Planning Departure from NJ Citing Property Taxes and Cost of Living, Not the Weather
November 25, 2019
MORRISTOWN, NJ – As New Jersey families gather around the Thanksgiving table many will be having a similar conversation –…
APP.com: NJ not getting money’s worth on gas tax
August 12, 2019
Consensus is pretty hard to come by in these days of over-heated rhetoric. The good news though is a New…
APP.com: NJ property taxes: Tell your representatives you need relief
June 1, 2019
Probably one of the best pieces of advice I ever received as an editorial writer is there is no point…
Bloomberg: Florida Is the Big Winner as the Wealthy Move Out of Northern States
May 28, 2019
Roughly 5 million Americans move from one state to another annually and some states are clearly making out better than…
ROI-NJ: Manufacturer: Cost of doing business in N.J. may force me to move to Pa.
May 20, 2019
For 29 years, Tektite Industries has been proud to build a business in New Jersey and help carry the torch for manufacturing…
APP.com: Most CPAs telling clients to relocate out of NJ: Thomas
May 1, 2019
Certified public accountants often hear objections about New Jersey’s high taxes from clients who are looking to leave New Jersey…
NorthJersey.com: Is the Greenwich housing crash predictive of NJ? Maybe more than you think | Opinion
May 1, 2019
A recent Wall Street Journal report, “Wealthy Greenwich Home Sellers Give in to Market Reality,” on Connecticut’s real estate market should…
Is Greenwich CT’s Housing Crash Predictive of NJ? More Than You Think.
April 23, 2019
A recent Wall Street Journal report “Wealthy Greenwich Home Sellers Give in to Market Reality” on Connecticut’s real estate market…
NJ.com: This is why I’m leaving New Jersey
April 16, 2019
I have contemplated writing a letter to the state government of New Jersey, including the Governor, Senate President, Assembly Speaker,…
Politico: Poll: New Jerseyans say they’re overtaxed, state not doing enough to ease burden
April 10, 2019
Most New Jersey residents say they pay too much in taxes and are unsatisfied by Trenton’s efforts to make the…
APP.com: Are YOU part of Murphy’s MIDDLE CLASS?
April 3, 2019
Gov. Phil Murphy constantly evokes the theme that his administration is all about working for the middle class and the "aspiring middle…
GSI Opinion: Here’s Why Your New Jersey Property Taxes Will Never Go Down (Unless There’s Radical Change)
January 28, 2019
By GSI StaffNJSpotlight.com’s John Reitmeyer takes a look at the recurring issue on New Jersey’s property tax burden and the…
Politico: New Jersey minimum wage stall curbs state’s vision as Democratic trendsetter
January 8, 2019
GSI’s president, Regina M. Egea, was interviewed by Politico New Jersey’s Katherine Landregan for a piece on the stalemate between…
GSI’s Egea: Biting the hand that feeds us just starves New Jersey
December 18, 2018
The following opinion piece was published on NorthJersey.com on December 18, 2018.Stuck between a rock and a hard place. That’s…
Welcome to North Carolina: We’re not New Jersey!
October 31, 2018
From GSI Staff: Welcome to North Carolina! That’s a sound a lot of New Jersey natives have heard in recent…
AAA Report: Who’s benefiting from New Jersey’s declining gasoline sales?
October 1, 2018
From GSI Staff: New Jersey residents awoke this morning to a tax on gasoline that was 4.3 cents higher. This…
Gas Tax Math: Higher Gas Taxes = Less Gas Sales
September 28, 2018
From GSI Staff: In the free market, if a company continually increases the cost of a product without enhancing its…
Tax Foundation: NJ Again Dead Last in Business Tax Climate
September 26, 2018
According to the 2019 edition of their annual analysis, New Jersey once again ranked dead last of the fifty states…
GSI’s Egea: Editorial Mischaracterized Millennial Flight
September 16, 2018
The following opinion piece was published on DailyRecord.com and MyCentralJersey.com, along with the print editions of the Daily Record, Courier News…
Daily Record: Editorial Mischaracterized Millennial Flight
September 16, 2018
“It could be worse” isn’t exactly a comforting motto for most life situations.But that’s the core message of the editorial…
Washington Post: Connecticut is drowning in debt. Should the rest of us have to pay?
July 24, 2018
In 1787, when the Constitutional Convention and an infant republic “hung by a thread,” two imaginative New Englanders solved the…
GSI’s Egea: Taxpayers Will Cut-up the Government’s “No Limit” Credit Cards When They Move to Other States
July 1, 2018
Garden State Initiative President Regina M. Egea issued the following statement after the announcement of a budget agreement between Governor…
GSI President Egea: Dem Plan to Increase Taxes Will Make NJ Anti-Business (Op-ed)
June 18, 2018
The following op-ed was published on NJ.com and in the Sunday Newark Star-Ledger on June 17, 2018By Regina M. EgeaLast…
Star-Ledger: Dem Plan to Increase Taxes Will Make NJ Anti-Business
June 17, 2018
The following op-ed appeared on June 17, 2018 on NJ.com and the print edition of the Newark Star-Ledger. It was later…
Asbury Park Press: 5 (More) Ways to Reduce Property Taxes In NJ: Egea
June 14, 2018
GSI President Regina Egea published an op-ed on the website of the Asbury Park Press as part of their ongoing…
Egea: 5 (more) ways to reduce property taxes in NJ (Op-ed)
June 13, 2018
As published on APP.com, 6/13/2018New Jersey has the highest per capita property taxes in the country yet all one reads…
Observer: New Jerseyans’ Views of the Garden State Hit Record Low
May 31, 2018
"The top concern on the minds of New Jerseyans is the perennial issue of property taxes, with 45 percent calling…
Jersey Matters: “Our Government Costs Too Much”
May 9, 2018
GSI’s president Regina Egea discusses the state's fiscal problems and possibilities with Larry Mendte, host of “Jersey Matters." "There's been…
The Wall Street Journal: ‘My Clients Are Fleeing NJ Like It’s on Fire’
May 9, 2018
James Freeman, assistant editor of The Wall Street Journal's editorial page, was among the speakers at GSI's Economic Policy Forum…
Connecticut’s Fiscal Crisis Is a Cautionary Tale for New Jersey – A New Report by GSI
October 15, 2017
Connecticut provides a cautionary tale for the next governor of New Jersey, according to a report from the newly launched…