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The basics:

• 51 New Jersey communities named to U.S. News’ 2026 Best Senior Living list
• State ranks No. 15 nationally for total recognized senior living communities
• Memory care (33), assisted living (29) lead NJ’s top-rated categories
• Long-term care costs can exceed $65,000 amid aging population growth

Like the state itself, New Jerseyans aren’t getting any younger. As aging residents explore their third acts, U.S. News & World Report again ranks the Garden State as hosting some of the Best Senior Living options.

Released April 14, U.S. News named 1,614 communities as the “best” for 2026. New Jersey has 51 Best Senior Living communities, according to the latest, out of 82 evaluated here.

Marking its fifth iteration, the ratings seek to assist older adults and their families. U.S. News says the feature can serve as a jump-off to help making informed decisions with health care and financial advisors. The package offers insights into independent living, assisted living, memory care and continuing care retirement communities.

The Best Senior Living ratings recognize communities that received the highest overall scores in the care level(s) they offer. Additional accolades recognize communities that scored in the top 25% of evaluated communities as High Performing in those areas.

The Garden State breakdown, by the numbers:

• Assisted living communities – 29
• Independent living communities – 4
• Memory care communities – 33
• Continuing care retirement communities – 0

New Jersey was among the top 20 states with the greatest number of Best Senior Living communities (at No. 15). Texas had the most (139), followed by Florida (137) and then California (117).

As the silver tsunami hits in New Jersey, residents 65 and older represent the state’s fastest-growing demographic. In less than 10 years, the number of this group is expected to outpace the number of students in schools here, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

Meanwhile, health issues, housing and finances are the top areas of concerns for New Jerseyans over 60, according to a recent report from the Rutgers University New Jersey State Policy Lab.

Beyond residential housing concerns, the Economic Challenges for Older New Jersey Residents paper also describes New Jersey as “an expensive state for long-term care services.” Additionally, it noted 54% of respondents said they do not have plans for covering those LTC costs; 12% said they plan to sell their home.

The average cost for long-term care locally could top $65,000, per figures from the New Jersey Long-Term Care Ombudsman’s Office.

U.S. News determines ratings from a comprehensive national survey. This year, it analyzed data from more than 540,000 responses from residents and families. Evaluated characteristics include dining and activities, management and staff responsiveness, overall value and social engagement, and safety and caregiving. This year, the publication said it assessed more than 3,000 senior living communities.

U.S. News Senior Living Director Liz Pearce noted 1 in 5 Americans will be of retirement age by 2030. “And while every individual’s path is different, many will eventually look to reside in a senior living community.

“Whether seeking an active independent lifestyle or specialized care, U.S. News’ 2026 Best Senior Living ratings help families navigate these options by identifying communities where residents and their families reported the highest levels of satisfaction,” she said.