Why Is Everyone Leaving New Jersey (But Not Me… Mostly)

I’m writing this while there are inches of snow on the ground back home and temperatures hovering below 30 degrees..

And yet here I am in Mexico. Ironically, not New Jersey. So maybe it’s easier for me to say this right now, but according to a recent Realtor.com article citing the 2025 United Van Lines National Movers Study, New Jersey ranked as the number one state people moved from last year. And not for the first time either. It’s actually the eighth year in a row.

Before anyone panics or starts questioning their loyalty to pork roll or Taylor ham, let’s talk about what this really means. 

Because despite that headline, I’m pretty much a Jersey girl for life. But I can also understand why so many people are at least thinking about leaving, especially during this time of year when winter feels endless and the idea of warmer weather sounds very convincing.

So why are so many people packing up and leaving us?!

According to the study, a big driver is cost. New Jersey consistently ranks as one of the most expensive states to live in, between housing prices, property taxes, and overall cost of living. 

For retirees in particular, downsizing to a more affordable state can feel like a smart financial move. Others are looking for a slower pace of life or more space for their money.



What’s interesting though is that New Jersey still attracts people too, especially younger professionals and families. Our proximity to New York City and Philadelphia, strong school systems, job opportunities, and diverse communities continue to be a major draw. In other words, people aren’t leaving because New Jersey has nothing to offer. 

They’re leaving because their priorities are changing.

Many of the states people are moving to tend to offer lower housing costs, warmer climates, or a different lifestyle altogether. Places like the Carolinas, parts of the South, and even the Pacific Northwest continue to show strong inbound migration. 

And let’s be honest, when it’s January and February and your windshield is covered in ice, the idea of starting fresh somewhere sunnier can feel very tempting (I've escaped to Mexico this week for that very reason).

Which brings me to you.

Have you ever seriously thought about leaving New Jersey? Is it the cost of living, the taxes, the winters, the commute, or just the idea of something new? Or are you like me, someone who might complain about the cold but can’t actually imagine calling anywhere else home?

Whether you plan to stay forever, leave someday, or are somewhere in between, this is a conversation I think a lot of New Jersey residents are quietly having.

Reply and tell me your thoughts.

Are you Jersey for life, or do you see a move in your future?

And for the record, it’s very easy for me to joke about all of this while sitting somewhere warm. I’ll report back once I’m home and re-frosted.

Here are the other states ranked as having the highest outbound:

1. New Jersey 

2. New York  

3. California 

4. North Dakota 

5. Colorado 

6. Mississippi 

7. Massachusetts 

Here are the other states ranked as having the highest inbound:

1. Oregon  

2. West Virginia  

3. South Carolina  

4. Delaware  

5. Minnesota  

6. Idaho  

7. North Carolina   

8. Arkansas   

9. Alabama  

10. Nevada  

Source: https://www.unitedvanlines.com/newsroom/2025-national-movers-study