November 09th, 2023

Pork roll, hoagies and farm roads vs Taylor Ham, subs, and eight-lane highways… North and South Jersey are completely different worlds. Here are a few of the biggest differences between the two parts of New Jersey.

1. Pork Roll vs. Taylor Ham
For some reason, this is the true dividing issue for most New Jerseyans. In the south,
​it's Pork Roll. Up north, it's Taylor Ham. Everyone has an opinion, even if they don't eat it.
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2. Completely different landscapes...
The flat farmlands of south Jersey are a stark contrast to the rocky and mountainous terrain of the northern part of the state
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3. ...and completely different traffic patterns.
The traffic in north Jersey never seems to cease. Down south, slow country roads generally
​don't get backed up, but you might be stuck behind a tractor or a combine if you're unlucky.
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4. Hoagies...or Subs?
This is another terminology debate. Anyone from the Philadelphia metro area calls sandwiches
​hoagies, but elsewhere, they're known as subs.
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5. Each part of the state roots for a different city's sports teams...
Philadelphia-area fans are probably the most loyal fans in all of sports, but much of north Jersey roots for the New York teams. No matter who they root for, though, New Jerseyans will always remind you that The Meadowlands is in the Garden State.
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6. ... and considered a different city "the City".
If your friends are trying to plan a day in "the city", you might want to ask for clarification.
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7. Beach vibes vary from the northern towns of Monmouth County to the sleepy towns of Cape May County.
Northern New Jersey's shore towns are more residential and lively all year long. Down in the southern parts of Ocean or Cape May county, the population is largely seasonal, and the towns are much quieter.
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​8. The difference between north and south Jersey is so great that we can't even agree on the "correct" borders.
The "line" between North and South Jersey is determined by where you grew up, and if you consider Central Jersey to be a real thing. There's no true border that we can all agree on.

​Source: Only in your state