- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Vineland Today
By the People, for the People
Atlantic City Ranks Last on NJ Best Places List
Vineland takes second place, but the rankings raise questions about how 'best' is defined
Published on Feb. 28, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
U.S. News & World Report has released its list of the 'Best Places to Live in New Jersey', with two South Jersey towns making the rankings. Vineland placed second in the state, while Atlantic City came in last at 14th out of 14 cities. The rankings have left some scratching their heads, as the data used to evaluate the cities seems to paint a different picture than the 'best places' designation.
Why it matters
The rankings highlight the economic and demographic challenges facing Atlantic City, which has long struggled with high unemployment, low incomes, and other issues. While Vineland fared better, the criteria used to determine the 'best places' has come into question, as the data suggests the rankings may not fully capture the realities of living in these South Jersey communities.
The details
Vineland was praised for its affordable cost of living, with a median home price of $230,160 compared to the national average of $370,489. It also has a lower average commute time and monthly rent than the national averages. However, Vineland's high 9% unemployment rate, which is double the national average, was a downside. Atlantic City, on the other hand, was dinged for its 11% unemployment rate, $38,756 median household income (compared to the $83,730 national average), and high percentage of single residents at 73.1%.
- The U.S. News & World Report rankings were released on February 28, 2026.
The players
U.S. News & World Report
A media company that publishes news, consumer advice, rankings, and analysis.
Vineland
A city in South Jersey that was ranked second on the list of 'Best Places to Live in New Jersey'.
Atlantic City
A city in South Jersey that was ranked last, 14th out of 14, on the list of 'Best Places to Live in New Jersey'.
What they’re saying
“I am a supporter of Atlantic City and want the best for the city and its residents. I want Atlantic City to reach its potential. But it's not there now, and the statistics used in this publication prove that.”
— Eddie Davis, Author (1057thehawk.com)
The takeaway
The rankings of Vineland and Atlantic City by U.S. News & World Report have raised questions about how 'best places to live' is defined, as the data used seems to paint a different picture than the final designations. While Vineland fared better, Atlantic City's last-place ranking highlights the persistent economic and demographic challenges facing the city, even as local supporters hope to see it reach its full potential.
