Living in New Jersey Guide for Arabs 2026: Housing, License, Taxes
A practical guide for any Arab living in or moving to New Jersey, covering housing, driving, taxes, and health coverage.
Driving & ID
Review license requirements, tests and language availability for your booking method.
Open official agency ↗Taxes
Check income types and local taxes. No wage income tax does not mean no taxes at all.
Open official agency ↗Health coverage
Some states run their own marketplace; others use HealthCare.gov. Check enrollment periods and exceptions.
Open official agency ↗Careers & licensing
Find your profession’s licensing board and credential requirements.
Open official agency ↗Prepare for a knowledge test
Sample practice questions with explanations.
In short: New Jersey is home to two of the most established Arab communities on the East Coast — Paterson and Jersey City — but it also has some of the highest rents and the highest income tax rates in the country. This guide walks through housing, licensing, taxes, health coverage, and schools, using figures verified against official state and federal sources as of September 2026.
New Jersey and Arabs: where the community lives
If you're an Arab considering a move to New Jersey, or you're already here, the two places where you'll most likely find your community are Paterson and Jersey City.
South Paterson, known locally as "Little Ramallah" along Main Street, is one of the oldest and largest Arab communities on the East Coast — mostly Palestinian, Syrian, and Jordanian families who settled from the late 19th century onward. Paterson is a sister city to Ramallah, and part of its main strip was renamed Palestine Way. You'll find bakeries, halal butchers, restaurants, and Arabic-speaking service offices packed into a few blocks — a density not found in most other NJ cities.
Jersey City, across the Hudson River from Manhattan, has a more nationally diverse Arab and broader Middle Eastern population, drawing workers and students thanks to its proximity to NYC and strong transit. We couldn't confirm an exact official figure for the Arab population there, but the presence is visible in restaurants, mosques, and community centers.
If you just arrived, sort out your paperwork first — see the SSN guide and the guide to opening a US bank account.
Housing costs: what you'll pay in Paterson and Jersey City
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) publishes annual Fair Market Rents (FMR) for every county, used as a benchmark for a typical 2-bedroom apartment in each area.
Passaic County (Paterson) and Hudson County (Jersey City) are both among the state's most expensive rental markets, with Hudson generally pricier given its direct proximity to New York City. HUD updates these figures every fiscal year, and we could not pull a confirmed exact FY2026 number directly from HUD's own lookup tool at time of writing — so no dollar figure is quoted here. Check the current number yourself below.
| Area | Main cities | Rent note |
|---|---|---|
| Passaic County | Paterson, Clifton, Passaic | Relatively high, generally below Hudson |
| Hudson County | Jersey City, Hoboken, Union City | Among the highest rents in the state due to NYC proximity |
Always check the current official figure through HUD's tool before signing a lease or comparing offers, since these numbers are revised every fiscal year. Official HUD Fair Market Rents page.
If you don't have a US credit history yet, renting your first apartment can be a challenge on its own — see the guide to renting without credit and the guide to building US credit from scratch.
Driver's license: it's the MVC, not the DMV
In New Jersey, the licensing agency isn't called the DMV like in most other states — it's the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, or MVC. That distinction matters when searching for official information.
- Book an appointment through the official MVC site — walking in without one can mean a very long wait.
- Gather identity and residency documents (passport, immigration/residency card, proof of a NJ address). Paperwork from Egypt, Jordan, or Iraq not in English may need a certified translation.
- Pass the written knowledge test. The official MVC site lists Arabic among the languages offered, alongside Spanish, Chinese, Turkish, and others — request your language when booking.
- Pass the road test after any required permit-holding period.
Planning to fly domestically later? Ask about REAL ID when you get or renew your license — an additional credential option issued by the MVC.
Don't assume every MVC location offers the test in Arabic on demand without booking ahead — confirm language availability at your specific location through the official knowledge test page.
See the guide to passing the driving test in Arabic, and if you're buying a car right after licensing, the car insurance guide and used car buying guide.
Taxes in New Jersey
New Jersey uses a graduated state income tax. Per the Division of Taxation, the top bracket reaches 10.75% on the highest income levels — one of the highest top rates in the country. Lower brackets tax the first portions of income at much lower rates, rising gradually.
The state sales tax rate is a flat 6.625% on most taxable goods and services statewide, per the Division of Taxation's official page.
| Type | Rate | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Top state income tax bracket | 10.75% | Applies only to the highest income tier; lower income is taxed at lower graduated rates |
| Sales tax | 6.625% | Flat statewide rate |
This is general information, not tax advice; for your exact liability, consult a licensed accountant or the official tax tables page. Filing your federal return for the first time, or need an ITIN instead of an SSN? See the US taxes guide, the ITIN guide, and the first W-2/1099 return guide.
Health coverage: Get Covered New Jersey and NJ FamilyCare
New Jersey runs its own health insurance marketplace instead of relying entirely on the federal healthcare.gov, called Get Covered New Jersey. It's the only place you can get financial help to lower your premium if you're buying private coverage.
NJ FamilyCare is the state's own Medicaid and CHIP program, serving lower-income residents of nearly any age, with special provisions for children under 19. You can't combine both: qualifying for NJ FamilyCare on income means you won't also get Get Covered New Jersey subsidies.
Get Covered New Jersey's annual open enrollment window typically runs from November 1 through the end of January; outside that window you need a qualifying life event (like job loss or moving to the state) to enroll. See the official FAQ page and the NJ FamilyCare site.
For the full range of options, see the US health insurance guide, the marketplace open enrollment guide, and the Medicaid for immigrants guide. Not sure whether to use urgent care or the ER? See the urgent care vs. ER guide.
Minimum wage 2026
Per the U.S. Department of Labor's consolidated wage table, New Jersey's standard minimum wage is higher than the reduced rate for small employers (fewer than 6 employees) and seasonal workers, currently $15.23 per hour. The rate adjusts annually under a state-law formula — confirm the current figure before relying on it for a job offer.
Official source: State Minimum Wage Laws — U.S. Department of Labor.
Renting and tenant rights basics
Before signing any lease, know that the state's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) publishes an official guide called "Truth in Renting," explaining tenant and landlord rights, from security deposits to eviction procedures.
- Ask your landlord for a copy of "Truth in Renting," or download it from the DCA website, before you sign.
- Photograph the apartment's condition when you move in — it protects your security deposit later.
- If you end up in a dispute, an official tool walks through eviction procedures and your rights step by step.
See the official NJ Department of Community Affairs page.
Enrolling kids in school
Public school enrollment in New Jersey is built around residency: a child is entitled to attend the school district where they live with a parent or guardian. You'll typically need proof of address (a utility bill or lease) and proof of the child's identity.
Special protections ensure children without traditional proof of residency — such as those experiencing homelessness — aren't denied immediate enrollment, per the state Department of Education's rules. See the official school residency page for forms specific to your district, and the guide to enrolling kids in US schools for full preparation.
Arab community resources in New Jersey
In Paterson, the American Arab Civic Organization is a well-known nonprofit offering a free Saturday Arabic school for ages 4 to 14, plus cultural programming, on Main Street in the heart of Little Ramallah.
For more verified Arab-run services near you — doctors, lawyers, accountants, halal restaurants — browse the site's New Jersey business directory, reviewed regularly to stay current and reliable.
Common mistakes newcomers make
- Searching for "DMV" instead of "MVC" and either not finding the right page or relying on unofficial sites.
- Signing a Hudson County lease without checking it against the official HUD benchmark, and unknowingly overpaying relative to the market.
- Confusing Get Covered New Jersey with NJ FamilyCare and applying to both, when a person can generally only qualify for one.
- Relying on a tax rate or minimum wage figure from a non-government site instead of verifying directly on nj.gov or dol.gov.
What's next
If you just arrived, the logical next step is setting up your paperwork during your first stretch here: see the first 90 days in the US guide. Still no driver's license? Read the US driver's license guide. And if you're comparing New Jersey's cost of living against other states before deciding where to settle, check the US cost of living guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Paterson really home to one of the largest Arab communities in NJ?
Yes. South Paterson, known as Little Ramallah along Main Street, is one of the oldest and largest Arab communities on the East Coast, with a strong Palestinian, Syrian, and Jordanian presence — part of Main Street was even renamed Palestine Way.
Is the licensing agency called MVC, not DMV?
Correct. New Jersey's official agency is the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC), and that is the name used on all state forms and the official website.
Is the written driving test available in Arabic?
Yes, the official NJ MVC site lists Arabic among the languages offered for the written knowledge test, alongside Spanish, Chinese, Turkish, and others; you can request your language when scheduling.
What's the difference between Get Covered New Jersey and NJ FamilyCare?
Get Covered New Jersey is the state's own marketplace for people buying private insurance who may qualify for subsidies. NJ FamilyCare is New Jersey's Medicaid/CHIP program for lower-income residents. You cannot use both at once — eligibility for one generally excludes the other.
What is New Jersey's minimum wage right now?
Per the U.S. Department of Labor's consolidated wage table, the standard rate is higher than the reduced rate that applies to small employers (fewer than 6 employees) and seasonal workers, currently $15.23/hour; always check the official DOL table since it updates yearly.
Do I need translated documents from Egypt, Jordan, or Iraq for a license?
You'll need to meet MVC's identity and lawful-presence document requirements, and if your paperwork isn't in English you may need a certified translation. Check the official MVC required-documents page before your appointment.
Is New Jersey a high income-tax state?
Yes. According to the NJ Division of Taxation, New Jersey uses a graduated income tax with a top rate of 10.75% on the highest income bracket, one of the highest top rates in the country.
Where can I find real Arab organizations helping newcomers in Paterson?
The American Arab Civic Organization in Paterson runs a free Saturday Arabic school and community programs. You can also browse the site's own New Jersey business directory for other verified Arab-run services.
Official sources we reviewed
- HUD USER — Fair Market Rents ↗
- NJ MVC — Knowledge Test ↗
- NJ MVC — Home ↗
- NJ Division of Taxation — Tax Tables / Rates ↗
- NJ Division of Taxation — Use Tax FAQ (Sales Tax Rate) ↗
- U.S. DOL — State Minimum Wage Laws ↗
- Get Covered New Jersey — FAQs ↗
- NJ FamilyCare ↗
- NJ Department of Community Affairs ↗
- NJ Department of Education — Residency ↗