2019 Design Senior Capstone, Rutgers University Newark

New Jersey is one of the most expensive states in the country to live in, and for too long, its residents have felt the sting of that economy. Cost of living here runs at least 30% above the national average, while the state's minimum wage remains well below what that cost of living demands — an imbalance that's persisted for decades. Many New Jerseyans are either planning their exit or feel forced into one by financial hardship.

I've felt this personally. I grew up in a low-income family and have moved 13 times in 24 years, with another move planned this May. I'm not alone — since 1990, outbound migration has nearly canceled out inbound migration, including international immigration. And the numbers tell their own story: those leaving New Jersey earn less, on average, than those moving in. You need money to thrive here, and that's the problem.

It doesn't have to be this way. New Jersey has 130 miles of shoreline, 233,000 acres of farmland, vibrant cities and quiet suburbs — there's something for everyone. But the cost of staying is starting to outweigh the promise, and as a young person planning my future, that worries me.