The NJ workers probably can’t follow their jobs because they can’t sell their homes; how many Americans are looking for homes with $15K+ in property taxes? Housing in NJ is getting crushed because no young people (except public employees in “safe” jobs) are stupid enough to buy homes here. The solution for these states being abandoned by young Americans is amnesty, to keep the housing stock, classrooms, and store aisles filled.
Out in the Atlanta suburbs (and in most of the south), $15K a year would get you a nice, good-sized house in a decent neighborhood, mortgage, taxes and insurance all inclusive.