The latest Rutgers-Eagleton poll, released this morning, shows that New Jerseyans have a negative outlook on the state and national economy.
We’ll get to those numbers soon.
The more important view may be this: More than half of New Jerseyans find it “very” or “somewhat” difficult to afford a variety of basic costs — from their mortgage to groceries to health care to utility bills to health care to education.
A look at some key cost centers:
- Mortgage: Difficult to afford: (Very: 23%; Somewhat: 32%)
- Groceries: Difficult to afford: (Very: 16%; Somewhat: 39%)
- Health care: Difficult to afford: (Very 19%; Somewhat: 33%)
- Utilities: Difficult to afford: (Very 17%; Somewhat 33%)
- Education: Difficult to afford: (Very 25%; Somewhat 37%)
Ashley Koning, the director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling at Rutgers-New Brunswick, said the poll does not paint a rosy picture.
“New Jerseyans are far from optimistic when it comes to current finances — whether it’s the state economy, the national outlook, or their own personal situation,” she said. “While residents still rate New Jersey’s economy somewhat better than the country’s, many feel financial strain in their daily lives, including when it comes to affording basic needs.”
Nearly eight in 10 New Jerseyans give a negative rating to the condition of the national economy:
- Poor: 36%
- Fair: 42%
- Good: 17%
- Excellent: 2%
There has been little change in perceptions since residents were asked about this in the spring after a notable drop from fall 2024 results.
Fifty-five percent say the nation’s economy has gotten worse in the past year, while 21% say it has gotten better.
Residents are slightly more positive about New Jersey’s economy:
- Poor: 24%
- Fair: 46%
- Good: 24%
- Excellent: 2%
Slightly more than half think New Jersey’s economy is about the same as it was a year ago (51%), while 35% say it has gotten worse over the past year and 7% say it has gotten better.
Of course, it all goes back to your personal pocketbook.
Regarding their personal finances, it’s a mixed bag — though few feel they are getting ahead:
- Holding steady: 49%
- Falling behind: 44%
- Getting ahead: 6%
Results are from a statewide poll of 621 adults contacted through the probability-based poll from June 13-16. The full sample has a margin of error of +/- 5.4 percentage points.
