New Jersey is losing retirees for right straight years

Retirees Cash Out While Young Workers Move In

New Jersey just claimed an unwanted title for the eighth year running.

United Van Lines’ 2025 National Movers Study found that 62% of all moves involving the Garden State were people leaving, making it the nation’s top outbound state once again.

The culprits are familiar: property taxes that now average over $10,000 a year and a cost of living that runs nearly 20% above the national average.

But the story has a twist that explains why the state’s population actually hit a record high.

62% of Moves Are Departures

For the eighth consecutive year, residents moved out of New Jersey at a higher rate than any other state.

The 2025 study ranked New Jersey at 62% outbound migration, meaning nearly two out of every three moves involving the state were people leaving.

New York and California tied for second place at 58% outbound each. Those leaving the state are migrating to southern states like Florida and the Carolinas.

A retiree selling a New Jersey home can often buy an equivalent property down south and pocket the difference while cutting their annual tax bill by $7,000 or more.

Property Taxes Cross $10,000 for First Time

In 2025, New Jersey’s average property tax bill exceeded $10,000 for the first time, reaching a statewide average of $10,095.

Homeowners in 8 of the state’s 21 counties now face average property tax bills exceeding $10,000, while another 2 counties surpass $9,000 annually.

Essex County leads with nearly $14,000 average bills. For context, that single county’s average tax bill is higher than what many Americans pay for an entire year of rent.

Tax Rate Nearly Double Any Other State

New Jersey’s average property tax rate is 2.23%, the highest in the United States. This effective property tax rate is 95% higher than the national average of 0.909%.

For a $400,000 home, New Jersey homeowners pay approximately $8,920 in property taxes annually compared to $3,636 nationally.

Illinois comes in second at 2.07%, followed by Connecticut at 1.92%. The gap between New Jersey and everywhere else is significant.

Living Costs Run 20% Above Average

New Jersey is roughly 17-20% more expensive than the national average, making it one of the priciest states in the country.

The statewide median home price hit $565,000 in early 2025, representing a 13% increase from the previous year.

A single adult in New Jersey needs to earn $26.20 per hour, or $54,503 annually, to meet basic living expenses.

That figure covers housing, food, transportation, and healthcare but leaves little room for savings or emergencies.

South Carolina Tops the Destination List

South Carolina drew 10% of retirement moves, a close second behind Florida at 11%.

Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head are filling up with retirees, and in many communities you’ll find transplanted Jersey diners and bagel shops opening to make the move feel less foreign.

The median home value in South Carolina was about $287,000 compared to $391,000 in Florida, making it increasingly attractive as Florida’s costs rise.

Young Workers Keep Arriving

About 21% of inbound moves to New Jersey were movers aged 18-34, as the state is considered a “launch state” for younger families and those looking to start careers.

New Jersey tells a different story than other outbound states: it is attracting younger professionals and families who see the region as a launch state, while losing retirees.

Proximity to New York City jobs and strong wage growth make the state appealing for ambitious workers willing to pay the premium temporarily.

Immigration Fills the Gap

New Jersey gained 130,692 international immigrants in 2024, which more than accounts for the overall increase in population.

This growth is primarily driven by international migration, despite New Jersey leading the nation in outbound disparity.

The state loses residents to other states but gains even more from abroad, creating an unusual demographic churn where the population grows even as moving trucks head out.

Population Hits Record 9.5 Million

New Jersey’s population climbed to an estimated 9,500,851, representing an increase of 1. 3% or 121,209 from 2023.

New Jersey now leads the Northeast in year-over-year population growth rate. The state experienced a 2.3% population increase, or 211,837 new residents, since April 2020.

Despite all those departures, the Garden State has never had more people living in it.

Oregon Becomes Top Destination State

Oregon topped the list with the highest percentage of inbound migration at 65%, moving up from number 8 in 2024.

Eugene-Springfield is the top inbound metro area, with 85% of moves being inbound.

Oregon has emerged as a leading inbound destination for job-seeking migrants with opportunities in growing tech and healthcare fields.

Springfield’s lower cost of living and proximity to both Eugene and Portland make it especially attractive.

Texas and Florida Lose Their Edge

Major Southern migration magnets like Texas and Florida, historically powerhouse inbound destinations, are now experiencing balanced migration patterns.

Tampa saw the biggest slowdown in domestic migration of all 50 most populous metro areas, with a net inflow of just over 10,000 residents compared to 35,000 the year before.

The Sun Belt’s affordability advantage is eroding, reflecting how rising housing costs are beginning to constrain even traditionally attractive regions.

Two Migration Streams Tell the Full Story

New Jersey’s exodus is real, but it’s selective.

The state pulls in young professionals chasing careers and international immigrants seeking opportunity while pushing out retirees who can no longer justify paying the nation’s highest property taxes on a fixed income.

This reveals a shift in migration patterns: major outbound states like New Jersey, New York, and California still attract ambitious job seekers while simultaneously losing more people motivated by retirement, affordability, and lifestyle changes.

The moving trucks keep rolling in both directions.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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