New Jersey already has one of the highest property tax rates in the nation but homeowners can’t seem to get a break anywhere. Homeowners end up paying approximately 1/3 of their total monthly mortgage payments in property taxes. This means that new mothers have to go back to work early and often both parents find part-time jobs just so that they can make ends meet. Overall, employers in New Jersey are unwilling to boost their salaries because they are forced to pay high property taxes as well.
Central and southern New Jersey residents can have employment options in Philadelphia and Atlantic City, but they will either need to commute or pay for public transportation. Citizens in northern New Jersey are able to work in Newark and NYC, but they will have to pay more in taxes out of each paycheck. Even though the price of property is at an all time low all over the US, few people can actually afford them because they simply do not make enough money. Because there are more people out of work than there are jobs available, employers know that they are able to reduce salaries and benefits packages and still field thousands of applications for just one open position. Job seekers have bills to pay so they cannot afford to be picky or try to negotiate for higher wages because they fear that they will not get hired. Few solutions are even being discussed by New Jersey lawmakers as they are struggling with balancing the state budget.
