New Jersey Towns Miss Top Retirement Ranking
No cities in New Jersey secured a spot in the top 500 of the 2027 U.S. News & World Report retirement rankings.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Retirement Planning
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The latest 2027 Best Places to Retire list from U.S. News & World Report excludes all New Jersey municipalities from the top 500. The highest-ranked location in the state holds the 566th position nationally.
Why it matters
High state taxes, expensive housing markets, and overall living costs contributed to the low national rankings for locations in New Jersey and the broader Northeast. These financial burdens are primary factors evaluated against the lifestyle needs of retirees.
Atlantic City ranks 859th nationally and 14th on a list of fourteen selected New Jersey locations. The state maintains the highest property tax rates in the United States.
The players
U.S. News & World Report
This media organization publishes annual rankings and consumer advice reports across various sectors, including education, health, and personal finance.
The details
The rankings are determined by assessing metrics such as healthcare quality, cost of living, housing affordability, and tax burdens. While no city cracked the top 500, fourteen locations appear on a separate state-specific list for New Jersey.
Timeline
The 2027 Best Places to Retire list was released in late 2026.
Market Dynamics
The results reflect the long-term impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act's SALT deduction limit on high-tax states. This environment forces retirees to weigh local property tax burdens against the overall cost of living when choosing a place to settle.
Retirees must account for New Jersey's unique tax landscape when planning their long-term financial security and monthly budgets. These rankings highlight the trade-offs between local amenities and the ongoing costs associated with property and state taxation.
The takeaway
Financial stability is a critical component of a successful retirement plan in states with high living costs. Potential retirees should prioritize total tax impact and housing affordability when evaluating potential relocation sites.
Further reading
Explore more data and analysis in our Retirement Planning section.
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?
