If your family loves pizza and bagels, then you should definitely live in New Jersey. And today’s your lucky day, because HomeSnacks is giving your family the ultimate life hack, we’ve created a list of the best places for families in New Jersey for 2026.
How did we determine New Jersey’s most family friendly places? We consulted the US Census on places in The Garden State with more than 10,000 residents. We looked at several factors: crime, education, family friendly activities, and the percent of households that currently have children. We ended up with 90 family friendly New Jersey places that any family would be lucky to call home. Matter of fact, if you ask any New Jerseyite, they will tell you that New Jersey is the best and that their corner of this Mid-Atlantic State is above the rest. They will also tell you that the state is great for families because they are one of the wealthiest states in the country. New Jersey not only has one of the highest median household incomes, but they have plenty of extra money to spend on the things that matter. Like, making their neighborhoods safe, their schools competitive, and their families happy, healthy, and entertained.
Speaking of family entertainment, when New Jersey families are ready for some fun in the sun, there is plenty of family friendly fun to be had. We think the best family day in New Jersey would go something like this: first, a trip to the freshest bagel shop in Jersey City; then, a ferry ride across the Newark Bay to shop ’til you drop in Elizabeth; followed up by a slice of ‘za’ in Linden’s Little Italy.
Want to know more? We suggest that you grab yourself a sunny spot at the Jersey Shore and read on.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 10 Best Cities To Raise A Family In New Jersey For 2026
While New Jersey might be one of the smallest states in size, it’s one of the largest in terms of population. The burning question: what is it about New Jersey that make over 9 million people–3 million families happy to call it home?
We’ll tell you, point blank, it has a lot to offer. And this is especially evident in New Jersey’s number one best place to raise a family for 2026, Madison.
If you want to see how New Jersey’s other amazing best places to raise a family faired, take a look at the list below. And if you don’t see your favorite there, head to the bottom.
More reading about New Jersey and the best places for families in the country:
- Best Places To Live In New Jersey
- Cheapest Places To Live In New Jersey
- Best Cities To Raise A Family In America
- Best States To Raise A Family In America
The 10 Best Places To Raise A Family In New Jersey For 2026
/10
Population: 16,447
Median Income: $171,471
Average Home Price: $990,722
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 42
Closest Major City: Newark
Households with kids: 36.1%
More on Madison: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 12,154
Median Income: $215,096
Average Home Price: $1,056,914
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 40
Closest Major City: Yonkers
Households with kids: 51.9%
More on Glen Rock: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 31,111
Median Income: $232,629
Average Home Price: $1,269,852
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 48
Closest Major City: Newark
Households with kids: 43.8%
More on Westfield: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 15,319
Median Income: $208,200
Average Home Price: $1,262,422
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 46
Closest Major City: Yonkers
Households with kids: 51.1%
More on Tenafly: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 12,595
Median Income: $200,400
Average Home Price: $830,376
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 43
Closest Major City: Philadelphia
Households with kids: 50.0%
More on Haddonfield: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 10,164
Median Income: $177,962
Average Home Price: $738,299
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 43
Closest Major City: Yonkers
Households with kids: 37.9%
More on Waldwick: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 10,144
Median Income: $186,688
Average Home Price: $843,787
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 61
Closest Major City: Yonkers
Households with kids: 35.4%
More on Hillsdale: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 12,091
Median Income: $159,028
Average Home Price: $839,655
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 51
Closest Major City: Yonkers
Households with kids: 35.6%
More on River Edge: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 22,705
Median Income: $190,304
Average Home Price: $1,372,010
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 51
Closest Major City: Newark
Households with kids: 38.2%
More on Summit: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 10,013
Median Income: $187,438
Average Home Price: $836,758
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 37
Closest Major City: Newark
Households with kids: 32.7%
More on Kinnelon: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
Methodology: How do you determine which place is best for families in New Jersey anyways?
To give you the places in New Jersey that are best for families, we must look at a handful of metrics. We want to measure the criteria people want in a family-friendly city utilizing Saturday Night Science.
After researching U.S. Census data produced for the state of New Jersey, we looked at the data for every single city in the state. We paid particular attention to:
- Crime (Both violent and property)
- Quality of local schools
- Distance to a major city without necessarily being in it
- % of households with children
- Family-friendly amenities nearby (museums, libraries, and colleges)
We then gave each city a “Family Score.”
The higher the score, the better the city is for families. We also limited our results to cities with over 10,000 people. For New Jersey, that meant a total of 90 cities.
We updated this article for 2026. This is our eleventh time ranking the best cities for families in New Jersey.
Summary: The Best Places To Raise A Family In New Jersey
If you’re looking for a breakdown of cities in New Jersey ranked by criteria that most agree make a place a great spot for families, this is an accurate list.
The best places for families in New Jersey are Madison, Glen Rock, Westfield, Tenafly, Haddonfield, Waldwick, Hillsdale, River Edge, Summit, and Kinnelon.
Here’s a look at the best cities for singles New Jersey according to the data:
- Somers Point
- Lindenwold
- Pleasantville
For more New Jersey reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In New Jersey
- Best Places To Raise A Family In New Jersey
- Worst Places To Live In New Jersey
Best Places For Families In New Jersey
| Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Average Home Price | Amenities Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madison, NJ | 16,447 | $171,471 | $990,722 | 47 |
| 2 | Glen Rock, NJ | 12,154 | $215,096 | $1,056,914 | 57 |
| 3 | Westfield, NJ | 31,111 | $232,629 | $1,269,852 | 40 |
| 4 | Tenafly, NJ | 15,319 | $208,200 | $1,262,422 | 55 |
| 5 | Haddonfield, NJ | 12,595 | $200,400 | $830,376 | 57 |
| 6 | Waldwick, NJ | 10,164 | $177,962 | $738,299 | 35 |
| 7 | Hillsdale, NJ | 10,144 | $186,688 | $843,787 | 36 |
| 8 | River Edge, NJ | 12,091 | $159,028 | $839,655 | 55 |
| 9 | Summit, NJ | 22,705 | $190,304 | $1,372,010 | 55 |
| 10 | Kinnelon, NJ | 10,013 | $187,438 | $836,758 | 36 |