After conducting several analyses of social media platforms to capture the concerns of New Jersey residents, we’ve pinpointed the top issues driving voter priorities in 2025. From crushing living costs to aging infrastructure, these challenges are dominating conversations across the Garden State. Here’s what’s on NJ’s mind, ranked by estimated level of concern.

1. Cost of Living (Property Taxes, Housing, Jobs, and More): 60%

The Big Worry: New Jersey’s sky-high cost of living is the state’s biggest hurdle. Residents are slammed by the nation’s highest property taxes, averaging nearly $10,000 a year, with some in towns like Montclair facing bills over $20,000. Housing affordability is in crisis, with three-quarters of voters saying costs are worsening and rents in places like Hudson County spiking 20%. Economic pressures—scarce jobs, pricey groceries, and utilities—pile on, with half of voters seeing the economy tank and over half struggling with rent or mortgage payments. The state’s steep 11.5% corporate tax rate is blamed for chasing businesses away, while looming tariffs on imports like produce threaten to drive prices higher.

Why It Matters: From taxes to rent to job woes, the cost of living makes NJ feel unaffordable, pushing some to consider packing up.

2. Education and School Funding: 15%

The Big Worry: School funding fights are hitting a nerve, with budget cuts in districts like Brick and Jackson sparking fears of teacher layoffs and tax hikes. Despite NJ’s top-ranked public schools, gaps in poorer districts frustrate residents who want fair funding. The state’s 2025 budget fully funds schools for the first time, but voters are demanding lasting fixes.

Why It Matters: Education is a cornerstone of NJ pride, and funding battles strike at families and communities.

3. Transportation and Infrastructure: 12%

The Big Worry: Potholes, NJ Transit delays, and creaky infrastructure are everyday headaches. Residents grumble about crumbling roads, like sinkholes on I-80, and abandoned properties dragging down neighborhoods. A $25 million state investment in grid modernization is a step forward, but voters want quicker, more noticeable repairs.

Why It Matters: Shoddy infrastructure slows life down and dents NJ’s economic edge.

4. Crime and Public Safety: 8%

The Big Worry: NJ boasts one of the lowest crime rates in the U.S., with violent crime at just 2.0 per 1,000 compared to the national 3.8. But urban hotspots like Camden and Newark keep safety concerns alive, with some residents exaggerating dangers. Crime in Camden is at a 50-year low, and only 2% of voters rank crime as a top issue, but urban challenges linger in the conversation.

Why It Matters: Urban crime stirs debate, but NJ’s overall safety keeps this concern in perspective.

5. Governance and Political Corruption: 5%

The Big Worry: Distrust in government festers, with residents frustrated by perceived corruption in NJ’s 565 municipalities, like bribery scandals in Hudson County. A 2025 push for transparency aims to restore confidence, but skepticism hangs on.

Why It Matters: Corruption breeds frustration, though it’s overshadowed by cost-of-living struggles.

How We Got Here

These percentages estimate concern based on widespread social media conversations, voter surveys, and state reports. Cost of living dominates at 60%, reflecting deep frustration with taxes, housing, and economic pressures. Education and infrastructure are notable but less urgent, while crime and corruption rank lower, given NJ’s low crime rate and focus on affordability. Environmental concerns, though raised in some policy talks, didn’t make the top list.

What’s Next?

The cost of living—property taxes, housing, jobs—is NJ’s defining challenge, setting the stage for the 2025 gubernatorial race and beyond. As residents push for relief, these issues will shape the state’s path forward. Want to dive into one concern, like tax reform or your town’s challenges? Let us know!

Sources

•  Rutgers-Eagleton Poll (2024): Voter priorities and economic sentiment

•  Hughes Center (2025): Housing affordability trends

•  GovPilot (2023): Resident complaints and infrastructure issues

•  NJ Future: Housing segregation and education disparities

•  WalletHub (2024): Property tax burdens

•  NJ Spotlight: State budget and economic challenges