Listen to this articleThe basics:
- WalletHub rankings span jobs, obesity rates, grocery costs, incomes and more
- New Jersey ranks No. 3 best state to live and No. 4 happiest state
- Princeton University ranks No. 1 among New Jersey colleges
This summer, WalletHub named New Jersey the No. 3 best state to live in. But the personal finance website also offers specific rankings for everything from the best sports cities to the most sinful locales and more.
With the goal of empowering consumers “to lead financially healthy lives,” the Miami-based company regularly analyzes locations across the country to help residents make the best choices for themselves, their families and their target lifestyles.
It’s worth noting that Newark and Jersey City are included in the city-based lists because WalletHub, in general, compares 182 cities — including the 150 most populated U.S. cities and at least two of the most populated towns in each state.
Before WalletHub begins its rankings for 2026, here’s a look back at just a sampling of how New Jersey as well as individual cities and institutions stacked up against others around the nation this year:
Most Sinful Cities in the U.S. | Nov. 17
WalletHub compared more than 180 U.S. cities based on vices and illicit behavior, including anger & hatred, jealousy, excesses & vices, greed, lust, vanity and laziness. Data included violent crimes per capita to excessive drinking and adult entertainment establishments per capita.
This is how New Jersey’s most-populated cities ranked:
- No. 109: Newark
- No. 132: Jersey City
Best Sports Cities | Nov. 12
To determine these findings, WalletHub looked at a Gallup poll that tallied the total percentage of adults who claim to follow football, baseball, basketball, soccer and/or hockey.
Princeton was the only town in New Jersey to make the top 10 of any of the three lists (large, midsize and small cities). Home of Princeton University’s Tigers, the locale landed at No. 7 among the Best Small Sports Cities.
Most Overweight & Obese States in America | Nov. 4
What are you craving?
WalletHub also included each state’s top temptation – specifically, the favorite comfort food of each state. New Jerseyans turn to Taylor ham (or pork roll), egg and cheese on a bagel, tallying 870 calories per serving.
New Jersey is on the healthier end of the scale on this list. The ranking compared states and Washington, D.C., based on obesity & overweight prevalence, health consequences and food & fitness. New Jersey landed at No. 39, making it one of the least overweight states.
The five most overweight and obese states are West Virginia, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana and Alabama.
Best & Worst States for Jobs | Oct. 29
To determine the top states to find employment, WalletHub compared the states based on 34 key indicators of job-market strength and economic health, including employment growth, median annual income and the average commute time.
It deemed New Jersey No. 17 among best states to find a job.
College & University Rankings | Oct. 13
This list determined the top-performing schools at the lowest costs to undergraduates. The ranking evaluated student selectivity; cost & financing; faculty resources; campus safety; campus experience; educational outcomes; and career outcomes. A total of 791 higher education institutions in the U.S. were evaluated.
These New Jersey colleges made the grade:
- No. 1: Princeton University
- No. 91: Stevens Institute of Technology
- No. 141: New Jersey Institute of Technology
- No. 170: The College of New Jersey
- No. 173: Rutgers University–New Brunswick
- No. 271: Drew University
- No. 332: Rutgers University–Camden
- No. 376: Rider University 173
- No. 383: Ramapo College of New Jersey
- No. 420: Rowan University
- No. 438: Seton Hall University
- No. 492: Stockton University
Cities Where People Spend the Most & Least on Groceries | Oct. 8
The platform analyzed the prices of 26 common grocery items in 100 of the largest cities. To determine where people spend the greatest percentage of their income on groceries, WalletHub then factored in those cities’ median household income.
New Jersey’s most-populated cities came in at:
- No. 4: Newark (3.16% cost of groceries as a share of median monthly household income)
- No. 82: Jersey City (1.63%)
Detroit, Mich.; Cleveland, Ohio; and Birmingham, Ala., topped Newark as places where people spend the most on groceries.
Best & Worst Cities for Women | Sept. 22
Again analyzing 182 cities, WalletHub examined key indicators of living standards for women, including median earnings for female workers, how each location handles women’s health and safety concerns and more.
This is how New Jersey’s most-populated cities ranked:
- No. 10: Jersey City (No. 44, women’s economic & social well-being rank; No. 18, women’s health care and safety rank)
- No. 157: Newark (No. 179, women’s economic & social well-being rank; No. 46, women’s health care and safety rank)
Happiest States in America | Sept. 8
Based on factors such as as depression rate, the share of adults feeling productive, income growth and the unemployment rate, New Jersey is the No. 4 happiest state in the U.S.
Come on, get happy
After unveiling the world’s first Master of Arts in happiness studies three years ago, Centenary University recently launched a Ph.D. program in the field. Read more here.
Best & Worst Places to Retire | Sept. 2
Based on affordability, activities, quality of life and health care, this list again included the usual 182 cities. New Jersey’s locales landed toward the bottom of the ranking:
- No. 161: Jersey City
- No. 178: Newark
Get the breakdown of each Garden State city here.
“It’s important to choose wisely when picking where to retire, as many retirees are on a fixed income. As a result, the best cities for retired people are those that minimize taxes and expenses, as well as have good opportunities for retirees to continue paid work for extra income, if they choose to do so,” WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said in the report.
States with the Best & Worst School Systems | July 21
Based on factors such as performance, funding, safety, class size and instructor credentials, New Jersey came in at No. 3 for having one of the best school systems in the nation. Only Massachusetts and Connecticut placed ahead.
Child Care Costs by State | July 1
To identify the states with the highest and lowest child care costs, WalletHub analyzed the prices of family- and center-based child care and adjusted them by the median income.
For married couples, New Jersey landed at No. 17 among the highest percent of income spent on child care. For single parents, the Garden State was the 10th highest.
States Where People Have the Highest Income | June 3
The median yearly income in the U.S. is approximately $81,000, WalletHub noted. To determine the states with the highest income, WalletHub analyzed the average yearly income of the top 5%, the average income of the bottom 20%, and the overall median income for each state’s residents.
The Garden State came in at No. 2 on the list, behind Virginia.
New Jersey’s breakdown (adjusted for the cost of living index):
- Average annual income of top 5%: $522,128
- Median Annual Income: $122,447
- Average annual income of bottom 20%: $17,083
