New Jersey Towns Miss Top 500 Retirement Rankings
High property taxes keep New Jersey off the national top 500 list, impacting how residents plan for fixed-income budgets.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Retirement Planning
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No communities in New Jersey earned a spot in the top 500 of the 2027 Best Places to Retire rankings published by U.S. News & World Report. Retirees in the state face significant cost-of-living hurdles, with the highest-ranked local city placing 566th nationally.
Why it matters
High state-level taxes and housing costs remain primary drivers for the lower national rankings of New Jersey locations in retirement suitability studies. For local households, this highlights the necessity of accounting for elevated property taxes when modeling long-term fixed-income budgets.
Zero New Jersey locations reached the top 500 in the 2027 national retirement rankings, while the state's top-ranked town landed at 566th. New Jersey currently maintains the highest property tax rates in the U.S.
The players
U.S. News & World Report
A media organization that publishes annual rankings evaluating city livability and retirement suitability.
The details
The rankings evaluate locations based on cost-of-living metrics, housing affordability, and tax burdens. Because New Jersey features some of the nation's highest property tax levels, it consistently struggles to compete in affordability-weighted metrics. This creates a challenging environment for households planning for retirement on fixed income streams.
Timeline
The 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Places to Retire list was published in 2027.
Money Landscape
The U.S. News & World Report Best Places to Retire rankings provide a benchmark for regional affordability, and New Jersey's placement reflects a broader trend of high-tax states struggling to reach the top tier of these specific affordability lists. These results underscore the impact of regional tax policy on retiree wealth preservation.
Retirees in New Jersey should prioritize a detailed review of property tax obligations within their long-term financial plans. Consult with a qualified tax professional to evaluate how local tax liabilities compare to cost-of-living adjustments when considering retirement timelines.
The takeaway
Retirement planning in New Jersey requires proactive budgeting to offset the highest property tax environment in the country. Monitor state-specific tax relief programs and discuss long-term asset allocation with a qualified financial professional to determine if your current savings plan remains sustainable.
Further reading
Explore more resources on managing your Retirement Planning strategy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by New Jersey 101.5.
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Do you consider high local taxes a dealbreaker when deciding where to retire?
