Paterson has plenty to offer, but the price of admission usually comes with traffic, sky-high rent, and a calendar that fills itself.
If you want the upside of Paterson without the daily grind, the answer is almost always a good suburb. The catch: not every suburb is worth the move.
So we ranked them. Using Saturday Night Science, we pulled the numbers on every place within commuting distance of Paterson: incomes, home prices, unemployment, schools, the works. The result is a no-nonsense ranking of where you actually want to live.
$250,001 median income · $1,369,018 median home price
Ho-Ho-Kus is always mentioned as one of the best suburbs in the Paterson area. We’ll tell you the good about “Awesome Ho-Ho-Kus.”
Everyone here is rich; families average $250,001 a year, which is the 6th highest in the Paterson region. And only 1.7% are out of work. Homes average more than $1,369,018 each.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$250,001 median income · $2,377,695 median home price
Munsey Park is the second best ‘burb we looked at near Paterson for 2026.
It ranks 6th for incomes in the area and only 0.0% of residents lack insurance, good for best.
$250,001 median income · $1,190,632 median home price
Here in Mountain Lakes, it’s really safe, and residents are just about as rich as you’ll see in the Paterson metro area.
The bad side? Schools are more crowded, and the cost of living puts a large part of the city out of reach for most families.
But price is based on demand and a lot of people want to live in Mountain Lakes.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$214,750 median income · $1,374,902 median home price
East Williston ranks as the 4th best suburb of Paterson for 2026.
You won’t find many better places to raise your kids in the region than in East Williston and the schools are some of the best around.
$232,629 median income · $1,269,853 median home price
Located in
Union County, New Jersey
Coming in as the fifth best is Westfield.
Westfield gets kudos for having the 29th most expensive homes in the Paterson area, where houses sell for an average of $1,269,853. However, the cost of living here is among the highest in the area.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$250,001 median income · $2,367,031 median home price
Flower Hill is proud of its 6th place finish on this list. And here’s why.
Most residents have great jobs and the unemployment rate sits at 5.0%.
According to online reports, Flower Hill is quickly becoming one of the more affluent suburbs in the Paterson area, meaning you need to get in soon.
$241,500 median income · $1,310,369 median home price
Located in
Morris County, New Jersey
The 7th best suburb on our list goes to Chatham.
Chatham schools are some of the best in the region, and crime is really low. The cost of living makes it a lot more desirable for many families, especially first-time home buyers.
And, it’s only 16.7 miles to downtown, which is a good thing.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$215,815 median income · $1,450,321 median home price
Bronxville is growing quickly, and for a good reason. Crime is far below average, and most residents are gainfully employed. Even the cost of living is reasonable.
A solid 1.2% of people lack insurance, good for 23rd in the area.
$250,001 median income · $2,157,586 median home price
Is ‘Everything Better In Scarsdale?’
Almost.
It placed 9th on our list thanks to the fact that it’s really expensive to live here, but the schools are great, so you get what you pay for in that regard.
$136,389 median income · $1,268,767 median home price
And rounding out the top ten for 2026 is Port Washington North.
This city is far above average in every category, and the best part? It’s far more affordable than the other cities listed above. So, you get a big bang for your buck here.
The receipts
Compare the top ten
Pick a metric. The bars rescale. The red line is New Jersey’s statewide median.
New Jersey statewide median: $103,556
New Jersey statewide median: $569,411
New Jersey statewide median: 6.3%
New Jersey statewide median: 9.7%
On the map
Where the best Paterson suburbs are
Saturday Night Science
Methodology: How we determined the best suburbs around Paterson for 2026
Figuring out the best suburbs around Paterson was simple. We used Saturday Night Science to find things people like about living in the suburbs and then locate the suburbs with those things.
We analyzed the newest American Community Survey data for 2020-2024 to research each suburb. We decided upon the following criteria:
- Low unemployment rate
- High median household incomes
- Population density (lots of things to do)
- High home values
- A lot of college-educated people
- Low poverty
- High rate of insured families
We defined a suburb as being within 30 miles of Paterson.
Additionally, we limited the analysis to places that have over 2,000 people. This left us with a grand total of 203 suburbs to evaluate around Paterson.
We ranked each place with scores from 1 to 203 in each category, where 1 was the best.
Next, we averaged the rankings for each place to create a quality-of-life index.
Finally, we crowned the city with the best quality of life index, the “Best Suburb near Paterson.” We’re lookin’ at you, Ho-Ho-Kus.
This result may differ from our state-wide data as we did not include commute times and crime for this analysis to allow for a more extensive selection of suburbs.
We updated the data for 2026. This report is our eleventh time ranking the best Paterson suburbs. Skip to the end to see the list of all the suburbs ranked from best to worst.
The full plate
Table: Best Paterson Suburbs
Click any column to sort. Search by city name.
| Rank | City | Suburb Score | Population | Median Income | Median Home Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ho-Ho-Kus | 28.64 | 4,270 | $250,001 | $1,369,018 |
| 2 | Munsey Park | 35.57 | 2,778 | $250,001 | $2,377,695 |
| 3 | Mountain Lakes | 37.64 | 4,585 | $250,001 | $1,190,632 |
| 4 | East Williston | 40.43 | 2,611 | $214,750 | $1,374,902 |
| 5 | Westfield | 41.43 | 31,111 | $232,629 | $1,269,853 |
| 6 | Flower Hill | 41.64 | 4,803 | $250,001 | $2,367,031 |
| 7 | Chatham | 42.50 | 9,407 | $241,500 | $1,310,369 |
| 8 | Bronxville | 43.86 | 6,510 | $215,815 | $1,450,321 |
| 9 | Scarsdale | 44.07 | 18,010 | $250,001 | $2,157,586 |
| 10 | Port Washington North | 44.14 | 3,149 | $136,389 | $1,268,767 |
| 11 | North Hills | 45.00 | 5,415 | $173,315 | $1,472,340 |
| 12 | Fanwood | 45.64 | 7,799 | $195,529 | $791,728 |
| 13 | Glen Ridge | 46.86 | 7,943 | $250,001 | $1,125,697 |
| 14 | Essex Fells | 47.21 | 2,361 | $250,001 | $1,438,414 |
| 15 | Oradell | 47.43 | 8,235 | $221,322 | $975,412 |
| 16 | Pelham Manor | 48.86 | 5,644 | $250,001 | $1,309,985 |
| 17 | Ridgewood | 49.07 | 26,308 | $208,211 | $1,200,489 |
| 18 | Irvington | 49.86 | 6,531 | $173,248 | $1,222,448 |
| 19 | East Hills | 50.64 | 7,257 | $250,001 | $1,751,159 |
| 20 | Pelham | 52.29 | 7,305 | $184,375 | $1,360,404 |
| 21 | Kings Point | 52.36 | 5,634 | $211,299 | $2,373,621 |
| 22 | Franklin Lakes | 52.43 | 11,084 | $235,795 | $1,557,852 |
| 23 | Sands Point | 53.93 | 2,722 | $250,001 | $3,232,903 |
| 24 | Haworth | 54.21 | 3,363 | $236,765 | $1,191,256 |
| 25 | Floral Park | 54.50 | 16,169 | $150,084 | $858,496 |
| 26 | Old Brookville | 54.93 | 2,107 | $250,001 | $2,396,388 |
| 27 | Hastings-on-Hudson | 55.79 | 8,434 | $193,621 | $1,036,677 |
| 28 | Larchmont | 56.57 | 6,567 | $167,536 | $1,661,377 |
| 29 | Rye | 57.71 | 16,428 | $239,815 | $2,180,592 |
| 30 | Demarest | 57.86 | 4,911 | $208,036 | $1,462,793 |
| 31 | Norwood | 58.00 | 5,724 | $178,311 | $898,894 |
| 32 | Old Tappan | 58.14 | 6,008 | $205,385 | $1,224,145 |
| 33 | Glen Rock | 59.14 | 12,154 | $215,096 | $1,056,914 |
| 34 | Great Neck Estates | 60.79 | 3,023 | $237,788 | $1,963,479 |
| 35 | Hillsdale | 60.86 | 10,144 | $186,688 | $843,788 |
| 36 | Waldwick | 61.00 | 10,164 | $177,962 | $738,299 |
| 37 | Mendham | 61.21 | 4,973 | $211,944 | $1,027,296 |
| 38 | Sea Cliff | 61.50 | 5,033 | $193,590 | $1,099,757 |
| 39 | Park Ridge | 62.64 | 9,406 | $171,029 | $845,038 |
| 40 | Hoboken | 64.57 | 58,668 | $180,579 | $855,399 |
| 41 | New Providence | 66.07 | 13,727 | $161,599 | $990,084 |
| 42 | Ardsley | 66.14 | 4,998 | $243,000 | $999,658 |
| 43 | Wesley Hills | 66.57 | 6,196 | $209,345 | $1,123,610 |
| 44 | Roslyn | 68.00 | 2,978 | $116,386 | $1,660,036 |
| 45 | Mountainside | 68.57 | 7,049 | $211,538 | $1,043,568 |
| 46 | River Edge | 69.00 | 12,091 | $159,028 | $839,655 |
| 47 | Cresskill | 69.71 | 9,174 | $170,376 | $1,000,899 |
| 48 | Bernardsville | 70.29 | 7,916 | $236,115 | $1,003,867 |
| 49 | Piermont | 70.50 | 2,514 | $140,450 | $813,807 |
| 50 | Harrington Park | 70.57 | 4,954 | $180,500 | $967,522 |
| 51 | Woodcliff Lake | 72.14 | 6,152 | $213,981 | $1,228,602 |
| 52 | Allendale | 73.64 | 6,865 | $160,162 | $1,073,640 |
| 53 | North Caldwell | 74.57 | 6,656 | $208,245 | $1,133,696 |
| 54 | Tenafly | 74.71 | 15,319 | $208,200 | $1,262,422 |
| 55 | Williston Park | 74.93 | 7,542 | $156,382 | $927,596 |
| 56 | New Hyde Park | 75.43 | 10,220 | $142,927 | $974,068 |
| 57 | Thomaston | 76.00 | 2,744 | $157,917 | $1,298,841 |
| 58 | Silver Lake | 76.07 | 2,515 | $139,934 | $359,405 |
| 59 | Roseland | 76.43 | 6,268 | $164,458 | $819,880 |
| 60 | Peapack and Gladstone | 76.57 | 2,571 | $202,578 | $1,088,698 |
| 61 | Rye Brook | 77.43 | 9,900 | $246,944 | $1,236,848 |
| 62 | Madison | 77.57 | 16,447 | $171,471 | $990,723 |
| 63 | Closter | 77.71 | 8,606 | $190,469 | $1,153,806 |
| 64 | Upper Saddle River | 78.29 | 8,439 | $250,001 | $1,412,975 |
| 65 | Morris Plains | 78.43 | 6,315 | $154,923 | $727,186 |
| 66 | Metuchen | 78.50 | 15,144 | $158,052 | $683,090 |
| 67 | Englewood Cliffs | 78.71 | 5,362 | $230,611 | $1,733,277 |
| 68 | Briarcliff Manor | 79.21 | 7,519 | $229,732 | $1,094,016 |
| 69 | Watchung | 80.21 | 6,485 | $173,672 | $1,060,985 |
| 70 | Lake Success | 81.50 | 2,829 | $244,079 | $1,863,190 |
| 71 | Mineola | 81.57 | 21,211 | $137,739 | $815,487 |
| 72 | Florham Park | 82.71 | 13,564 | $158,696 | $1,025,256 |
| 73 | Valley Stream | 83.29 | 40,315 | $133,190 | $756,941 |
| 74 | Manorhaven | 83.93 | 6,958 | $105,486 | $823,279 |
| 75 | Ramsey | 84.57 | 14,805 | $160,996 | $863,404 |
| 76 | Emerson | 84.86 | 7,305 | $155,536 | $780,190 |
| 77 | Great Neck | 87.43 | 11,087 | $137,981 | $1,455,883 |
| 78 | Midland Park | 87.79 | 7,019 | $146,841 | $732,465 |
| 79 | Summit | 88.21 | 22,705 | $190,304 | $1,372,011 |
| 80 | Buchanan | 88.43 | 2,397 | $128,218 | $576,521 |
| 81 | Dobbs Ferry | 88.79 | 11,443 | $165,417 | $975,067 |
| 82 | Rutherford | 89.14 | 18,894 | $143,153 | $738,683 |
| 83 | Dumont | 89.21 | 18,279 | $126,071 | $666,365 |
| 84 | Wood-Ridge | 89.57 | 10,218 | $136,108 | $709,508 |
| 85 | Oakland | 91.14 | 12,768 | $162,019 | $750,020 |
| 86 | Montvale | 92.00 | 8,901 | $178,269 | $920,951 |
| 87 | Hamburg | 92.14 | 3,308 | $86,975 | $395,522 |
| 88 | Saddle River | 92.21 | 3,389 | $212,143 | $2,270,388 |
| 89 | Hawthorne | 93.00 | 19,628 | $110,237 | $629,474 |
| 90 | Ringwood | 93.21 | 11,657 | $152,414 | $596,571 |
| 91 | Kinnelon | 93.57 | 10,013 | $187,438 | $836,759 |
| 92 | Fair Lawn | 93.86 | 35,610 | $144,574 | $709,175 |
| 93 | Westwood | 94.07 | 11,283 | $165,781 | $755,182 |
| 94 | Croton-on-Hudson | 94.29 | 8,202 | $191,678 | $812,905 |
| 95 | Pleasantville | 94.64 | 7,371 | $136,406 | $987,582 |
| 96 | Harrison | 95.14 | 29,961 | $164,250 | $1,211,014 |
| 97 | Mount Arlington | 97.71 | 5,935 | $92,264 | $529,938 |
| 98 | Hasbrouck Heights | 99.07 | 12,115 | $123,734 | $709,659 |
| 99 | Great Neck Plaza | 99.29 | 7,593 | $92,474 | $498,568 |
| 100 | Pomona | 99.29 | 3,996 | $156,000 | $722,364 |
Source: U.S. Census ACS 2020-2024. 203 suburbs within 30 miles of Paterson.
Summary
Summary: Welcome to the Best Paterson ‘Burbs of 2026
We said it once, and we’ll say it again–life in the big city isn’t for everyone. At least not all the time.
The best suburbs of Paterson are Ho-Ho-Kus, Munsey Park, Mountain Lakes, East Williston, Westfield, Flower Hill, Chatham, Bronxville, Scarsdale, and Port Washington North.
So if you’re craving the amenities of a larger city like Paterson but don’t want to deal with the drawbacks, one of these suburbs might be for you. Not sold on New Jersey? Take the two-minute Find Your Place quiz and see which state actually fits you.
Questions and answers
Best Suburbs Of Paterson FAQs
What is the best suburb of Paterson?
Ho-Ho-Kus is the best suburb of Paterson for 2026, according to Saturday Night Science. Munsey Park and Mountain Lakes are next.
What are the best suburbs of Paterson?
The best suburbs of Paterson are Ho-Ho-Kus, Munsey Park, Mountain Lakes, East Williston, Westfield, Flower Hill, Chatham, Bronxville, Scarsdale, and Port Washington North. We ranked all 203 places within commuting range.
How expensive is Ho-Ho-Kus?
The median household income in Ho-Ho-Kus is $250,001 and the median home costs $1,369,018. Top suburbs rarely come cheap; that is part of how they got there.
What counts as a suburb of Paterson?
Any place within 30 miles of Paterson qualifies. 203 towns fit that circle, and every one of them got scored.
How do you rank Paterson suburbs?
Each suburb is scored on income, home values, density, unemployment, education, insurance coverage, and poverty, using Census American Community Survey data. The best combined score, Ho-Ho-Kus, takes the crown.
