Is New York City in New Jersey? No—They're Separate States

New York City is not in New Jersey. It is located entirely within the State of New York, primarily on islands (Manhattan, Staten Island) and the western end of Long Island (Brooklyn, Queens).

New Jersey lies directly west of NYC, across the Hudson River. The two are connected by bridges (George Washington, Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel) and transit (PATH trains, ferries), but they are distinct states with separate governments, laws, and tax systems.

Confusion sometimes arises because the NYC metro area extends into NJ (e.g., Jersey City, Newark, Hoboken), but the city itself is 100% in New York State.