NEW JERSEY — New Jersey ranks among the 15 most independent states in the country, according to a new WalletHub study released ahead of Independence Day.
The personal finance company ranked New Jersey 13th overall in its 2026 report on the most independent states. The study evaluated all 50 states using 39 metrics measuring reliance on government and others for financial support, employment and personal habits.
According to WalletHub, New Jersey ranked second for median debt per income and eighth for the share of adults saving for children’s college education.
The state also ranked 16th for the share of households receiving public assistance, 20th for the share of federal, state and local government employees, and 20th for the share of jobs supported by exported goods.
New Jersey ranked sixth for the share of current adult smokers.
The full report is available on WalletHub’s website.
