New Survey Shows New Jersey Residents Leaving At The Highest Rate In The Nation As Democratic Leadership Prepares To Change Hands

Friday, January 2, 2026, 9:00 A.M. ET. 4 Minute Read, By Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor: Englebrook Independent News,

TRENTON, NJ.- As 2026 begins, New Jersey stands atop an unwanted national ranking: the state with the highest rate of outbound migration in 2025. According to a national survey conducted by major interstate moving companies, more New Jersey residents left the Garden State last year than residents of any other state, a trend critics attribute to years of escalating taxes and affordability pressures under outgoing Democratic leadership.

     With fewer than three weeks remaining before Mikie Sherrill is sworn in as New Jersey’s next Democratic governor, the data raise a pointed question for residents already strained by rising costs: Can New Jersey withstand another four years of increased taxation and fiscal pressure, or will the exodus accelerate?

New Jersey Leads The Nation In Outbound Migration;

     The findings are drawn from the 49th Annual National Movers Study released by United Van Lines, an industry benchmark that analyzes tens of thousands of interstate household moves nationwide. The 2025 study shows that approximately 62 percent of all New Jersey moves were outbound, meaning nearly two-thirds of households involved in interstate relocations were leaving the state rather than arriving.

     That figure placed New Jersey first in the nation for outbound migration, continuing a multi-year pattern in which departures have consistently outpaced arrivals. Industry analysts note that while migration decisions are influenced by a range of personal and economic factors, New Jersey’s persistent ranking near the top of outbound lists reflects deeper structural affordability issues.

The Cost Of Governance Under Murphy;

     Outgoing Governor Phil Murphy leaves office after two terms with New Jersey still carrying one of the heaviest tax burdens in the United States. Property taxes remain the highest in the nation on average, while income, sales, and business taxes combine to create what critics describe as a punishing fiscal environment for families, retirees, and small businesses alike.

     Throughout Murphy’s tenure, Democratic leaders defended high spending and taxation as necessary to fund public services, infrastructure projects, and social programs. Opponents counter that these policies failed to meaningfully improve affordability and instead pushed thousands of residents to seek relief in lower-tax states.

     For many New Jerseyans, the financial equation became untenable. Homeowners routinely report annual property tax bills rivaling or exceeding their mortgage payments, while renters face escalating housing costs driven by regulation, demand, and limited supply. The result, critics say, has been a steady drain of middle-class households, the very population that forms the backbone of the state’s tax base.

A Change In Leadership, Not In Party Control;

     Governor-elect Sherrill, a Democrat and former member of Congress, is set to take office later this month, inheriting both the state’s fiscal structure and its migration problem. While her transition team has outlined goals such as addressing housing affordability, reducing energy costs, and improving economic competitiveness, skeptics question whether meaningful change is possible without a fundamental shift in tax policy.

     With Democrats retaining control of the governor’s office and the legislature, critics warn that policy continuity may outweigh reform, leaving residents facing the same pressures that have already driven record numbers to leave. For families considering relocation, the uncertainty surrounding future tax increases weighs heavily on decisions being made now.

Who Is Leaving, And Why;

     The outbound migration documented in 2025 spans multiple demographics:

• Retirees and seniors, many on fixed incomes, are relocating to states with lower taxes and reduced cost of living.
• Middle-income families are struggling with property taxes, insurance costs, and housing affordability.
• Remote workers and professionals are taking advantage of flexibility to move to states offering greater financial breathing room.

     While New Jersey continues to attract some inbound residents due to proximity to New York City and certain employment sectors, those gains have not offset the volume of departures. 

The Stakes For New Jersey’s Future;

     Sustained population loss carries significant consequences. Fewer residents can mean reduced state and local tax revenues, pressure on remaining taxpayers, potential shifts in federal representation, and long-term economic stagnation. For municipalities already grappling with budget constraints, continued out-migration threatens to deepen fiscal challenges.

     As Governor-elect Sherrill prepares to assume office, the migration data stand as a stark warning. Without decisive action to address taxes and affordability, critics argue, New Jersey risks reinforcing its reputation as a state that residents are eager to leave, and reluctant to stay.

Editor’s Note:

This article is based on verified data from the United Van Lines 2025 National Movers Study and publicly available New Jersey fiscal and demographic information. Englebrook Independent News remains committed to fact-based, evidence-supported reporting and rigorous analysis of the policies shaping life in the Garden State. By Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor: Englebrook Independent News.