Best Places To Live in New Jersey

How We Ranked New Jersey's Best Towns

We asked a clear question: what makes a town the best place to live in New Jersey?

Here's how we built our answer:

Data with context. We used U.S. Census data for population and age mix, Bureau of Labor Statistics job figures, state and national school rankings, and NJ Division of Taxation property rates. Then we matched that with on-the-ground insight. What locals say. What it feels like to walk downtown. Where families gather after work.

Weighted scoring. Our model included:

• Quality of life (schools, parks, safety)
• Affordability (home price, taxes)
• Commute (NYC, regional hubs)
• Community feel (walkability, downtown, arts)
• Growth outlook (job trends, resale)

Regional respect. A Jersey Shore town differs from Morris County suburbia. Jersey City doesn't compare to Warren Township. We grouped results into commuter towns, family favorites, value picks, luxury addresses, shore options, and retiree spots.

Candor. Each town comes with notes on both benefits and drawbacks. "Great schools, but property taxes near $17K." That mix builds trust.

Sources. Every stat links back to the original report: Census, BLS, NJ DOE, property tax records, FEMA flood maps, Realtor.com, and NJ Transit schedules.

For deeper insights into regional market trends, see our New Jersey Real Estate Market 2025 County Trends & Buyer Guide.

Overall Top 10 Towns in 2025

These towns stand out when both numbers and lived experience meet.

1. Ho-Ho-Kus

• Why it stands out: Top marks for families. Safe, tight-knit.
• Stats: Population ~4,200. Median home values well above $1M (NJ Realtors, 2024).
• Schools: PreK–8 district with 11:1 ratio; high schoolers attend Northern Highlands, one of NJ's best.
• Commute: Direct NJ Transit to NYC with consistent ridership.

2. Princeton

• Academic energy, world-class schools, and cultural life.
• Population ~31,000. Median home value ~$646,500 (Census ACS 2023).
• Princeton High ranks among the top schools in the nation (Niche 2025).

3. Ridgewood

• Strong schools, safe neighborhoods, and a walkable downtown.
• Population ~26,000. Median home value ~$532,500.
• Commute via NJ Transit Main/Bergen Line.

4. River Edge

• Smaller Bergen County town (~12,000) with excellent schools.
• Safe and family-oriented, with parks and quiet blocks.

5. Princeton Junction

• Quick train into NYC or Philadelphia.
• Close to Princeton's culture but more suburban.

6. Harrington Park

• Top-rated schools, calm community.
• Consistent reviews from families moving in for safety and peace.

7. Haworth

• Park-like setting. Low crime.
• Commute to NYC in under 45 minutes.

8. Summit

• Busy downtown, safe blocks, and strong schools.
• Midtown Direct line gets you to NYC quickly.

9. Hoboken

• One square mile of energy. PATH to Manhattan in 11 minutes.
• Median condo price ~$780–800K (Zillow, 2024).

10. Mountain Lakes

• Nature and strong schools.
• Quiet community with A+ district rating.

Browse current listings in these top communities at /communities.

Best Towns for NYC Commuters

Hoboken – PATH, ferry, or bus. Fastest jump into Manhattan.

Jersey City – Multiple PATH routes, ferry to Wall Street. Lower price than Manhattan.

Montclair – Six train stations, direct NJ Transit to Penn. Arts and historic homes.

Maplewood & South Orange – Midtown Direct in 30–35 minutes. Walkable downtowns.

Metuchen – Small town, under one hour by train. Median home ~$600–650K.

Best Towns for Families

Ridgewood – Pool, parks, Saddle River trails.

Westfield – Walkable, award-winning Main Street, strong schools.

Princeton – Cultural depth, world-class education.

Chatham & Madison – High safety, arts and schools.

Glen Rock – Trails, playgrounds, safe neighborhoods.

View available family homes in these communities at /communities.

Compare Costs Fast: Home Prices, Taxes, and Commutes

Ridgewood Median home values sit around $532,500 as of 2023. Property taxes run steep, with an effective rate of about 2.80 percent (Bergen County average). Commuters rely on NJ Transit's Main/Bergen County Line into Hoboken, with transfers via PATH or Secaucus for Midtown.

Westfield Homes trend higher in price, making Westfield one of the more affluent suburbs. The commute works well: a one-seat ride on the Raritan Valley Line brings you into Penn Station in about 50 minutes. Buses run 45–60 minutes depending on traffic. Property taxes remain among the higher tiers statewide.

Princeton Median home values average $646,500. Property taxes carry weight too, with a median annual bill near $16,541 and an effective rate around 2.43 percent. Direct trains connect through regional hubs to reach New York City.

Chatham and Madison Families here pay a typical property-tax bill of about $14,183. Commute options shine, with Midtown-Direct service reaching Penn Station in about 30 to 35 minutes.

Glen Rock Known as a high-income suburb, Glen Rock homeowners face some of the state's larger tax bills—around $17,766 on average. Two train stations (Main and Bergen County Lines) connect residents to Hoboken, with transfers available for Midtown access.

Metuchen This borough balances affordability with access. Median homes run in the $600,000 to $650,000 range. Property taxes average closer to $12,053, which sits mid-range in New Jersey. From the downtown station, a one-seat train reaches Penn Station in under an hour.

For current market conditions in these areas, visit our County Trends & Buyer Guide.

School Districts at a Glance

A+ districts according to Niche 2025 and NJ DOE report cards:

• Northern Valley Regional – #1 in NJ, dual enrollment.
• Princeton Public Schools – Small class sizes, intellectual culture.
• Millburn Township – Long record of top academics.
• Ridgewood – Mix of warmth and academic rigor.
• West Windsor–Plainsboro – High STEM strength.
• Tenafly – Calm residential setting, strong schools.
• Summit – Strong academics plus athletics.
• Mountain Lakes – Small, nature-focused with rigor.

FAQs: Moving to New Jersey

Is NJ safe? Suburbs like Ridgewood, Chatham, and Westfield rank safest. Jersey City and Newark are mixed; check neighborhoods.

How high are taxes? Highest in the U.S. Average effective rate ~2.3% (NJ Division of Taxation, 2024). Princeton's median bill exceeds $16K; Metuchen ~$12K; Ridgewood ~$17K.

What about insurance? Homeowners plus flood coverage if in coastal or river areas. FEMA's NFIP covers most.

Flood zones? Always check FEMA Flood Map Service Center (msc.fema.gov).

Income tax? 1.4%–10.75% progressive (NJ.gov).

Sales tax? 6.625% statewide. 3.3125% in UEZs like Newark.

Ready to explore these communities? Browse current listings at /communities or learn more about regional trends in our 2025 Market Guide.