The Hudson connecting New Jersey and New York is not a moat— it’s an artery.

The congestion pricing debate is a symptom of a larger problem. 

The relationship between New York and New Jersey is often reduced to a tired rivalry: New York as the glittering metropolis, New Jersey as the punchline. This lazy narrative obscures a deeper truth—these two states are not adversaries but partners in a shared regional fate. From Economically, culturally, and politically, the fates of New York and New Jersey are inextricably linked. Recognizing this interdependence isn’t just about civic pride—it’s about power.  

A Region Built on Connection  

Of course, New Jersey needs New York. How could we survive without New York? The Metro has the largest GMP in the country, but New York also needs New Jersey. Of New York’s $2.1 trillion GMP, only $781 billion is Manhattan. Over 400,000 people who work in New York City live in New Jersey. If New Jersey were a borough of New York, it would have the largest share of workers. At 400,000 commuters, we have nearly four times as many workers coming into the City than second-place Queens. 

Do we really want to break the glass and see who's real?

New York and New Jersey don’t just share a border; they share an economy. New Jersey’s pharmaceutical, logistics, and tech industries help fuel the entire region’s economic engine. The Port of New York and New Jersey—yes, it’s a joint operation—is the busiest on the East Coast.  

And yet, this interdependence is too often ignored. Crises in one state ripple across the river. A transit meltdown on NJ Transit or PATH doesn’t just affect commuters—it weakens New York’s workforce. Rising rents in Manhattan and Brooklyn push more working-class residents into New Jersey, driving up housing costs in places like Jersey City and Newark. Climate disasters like Superstorm Sandy did not stop at state lines. The Hudson is not a moat; it’s an artery.  

The Myth of New Jersey as a New York Suburb

New Jersey is only a suburb of New York, if Brooklyn is. The truth is New Jersey is the most urban state in the US. Manhattan in many ways is a showcase or a mall. It is not the center and even when we take into account culture. The media markets overlap, the sports teams are shared (except, of course, when it comes to Yankees vs. Mets), and institutions like Wall Street, Broadway, and major universities draw talent from both sides of the river. The so-called "Tri-State Area" isn’t simply a traffic report category or a geographic description—it’s a lived reality.  

Yet New Jersey is persistently treated as New York’s underdog, despite its own vibrant contributions. This is the state that gave us the music of Bruce Springsteen and Whitney Houston, the cinematic vision of Steven Spielberg, and some of the country’s most dynamic immigrant communities. Newark and Jersey City are among the most diverse cities in U.S., and the Jersey Shore is an ecological and cultural treasure. 

Shared Problems demands Shared Solutions  

Both states face common crises, and treating them as separate battles only weakens efforts to solve them. The housing crisis is a prime example. As New York becomes increasingly unaffordable, more people move to New Jersey, where rents are now skyrocketing. But instead of coordinated policies to ensure affordable housing across the region, we get fragmented efforts that leave working people stranded.  

The same goes for climate change. Rising seas and extreme weather threaten the entire metro area, but resilience planning is often tackled at the state level rather than as a regional emergency. And when it comes to racial and economic justice, both states are plagued by segregation, underfunded schools, and over-policing of Black and brown communities. Treating these as isolated issues misses the bigger picture.  

A New Vision for Regional Power  

Beyond the stereotypes and outdated hierarchies, New York and New Jersey have an opportunity to build something stronger—an alliance that recognizes their shared destiny. New Jersey is not New York’s "handmaiden”— it is a co-pilot in shaping the future of the region. In fact, on issues like clean energy and environmental protections, New Jersey often leads the way.  

Embracing this interdependence isn’t just symbolic—it has real political stakes. A more united regional approach could mean stronger advocacy for affordable housing, climate action, and racial justice. The old rivalries serve only to divide and weaken those who stand to benefit most from a collective fight for equity.  

New York and New Jersey rise or fall together. The sooner we abandon the myth of separation, the sooner we can start building real power for the millions of people who call this region home. The Hudson River isn’t a barrier—it’s a bridge. It’s time we started acting like it.