The 10 Best Places To Live In New Jersey In 2023


The best places to live in New Jersey for 2023 are Park Ridge, River Edge, and Florham Park. Find out where your city or town ranks.

We all know New Jersey is the best state in the Union. What with the bagels, diners, the shore, and all the great produce.

But because the whole state is the best, choosing the best place to live in New Jersey is hard.

Thankfully, we decided this question needed to be answered once and for all. So we turned to data and analytics to understand the best place to live in New Jersey.

In particular, we looked at home prices, crime rates, unemployment, and other quality-of-life factors for every city and town across the state. You know, the things that people from New Jersey would find important when looking for a new place to live.

And while you might have heard about Hoboken, Trenton, or Newark, New Jersey has some fantastic smaller places that we’re going to highlight today.

After analyzing over 177 places in New Jersey<, we came up with this list of the best places in the Garden State to call home.

There you have it; the ten best places New Jersey has to offer when finding a place to live.

What’s the best place to live in the Garden State? The best place to live in New Jersey is Park Ridge based on FBI and Census data. The places with low unemployment and high incomes like Park Ridge outmatched their short commute counterparts.

However, there’s no better state in the nation than New Jersey, so any place inside the state boundaries is a great place to live.

If you’re looking for something more national, check out the best states in America or the best places to live in America.

For more New Jersey reading, check out:

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The 10 best places to live In New Jersey for 2023

Park Ridge, NJ

Overall SnackAbility

7
/10
Population 8,987
Rank Last Year 1
Median Home Value $609,500
Unemployment Rate 2.5%

Coming in as the best place to live in New Jersey is Park Ridge, a borough of 8,987 located about a half-hour north of Newark.

For starters, Park Ridge ranked as one of the safest places in New Jersey, recording the 3rd lowest overall crime rate statewide — the crime rate in Park Ridge is nearly half the national average.

It’s not just safe streets, though. Park Ridge has some of the best schools in New Jersey, with their elementary school scoring in the top 5% statewide and their high school receiving a College Success Award from GreatSchools.

Education has undoubtedly played a key role in reducing poverty and unemployment numbers to incredibly low levels. In fact, the median household income in Park Ridge is $168,269, and the median home price here is $609,500.

If you’re looking for fun things to do locally, the Wortendyke Dutch Barn Museum provides a unique historical perspective on Bergen County’s roots. And having Newark down the road helps meet your entertainment needs as well. After all, you can always catch a New Jersey Devils’ game or a concert at the Prudential Center.

More on Park Ridge: Real Estate | Crime Report | Cost Of Living

River Edge, NJ

Overall SnackAbility

10
/10
Population 12,024
Rank Last Year 3
Median Home Value $549,500
Unemployment Rate 2.4%

Located in Bergen County, River Edge ranks as the 2nd best place to live in New Jersey. With a population of 12,024, River Edge offers a low cost of living and a high quality of life. The median home price in the area is $549,500, making it an attractive option for families and individuals looking for affordable housing options, at least in New Jersey.

River Edge is considered one of the best places to live in New Jersey because it offers easy access to nearby cities like New York City and Hoboken. And as my boss used to say, better to be in New Jersey looking at NYC than in NYC looking at New Jersey.

More on River Edge: Real Estate | Crime Report | Cost Of Living

Florham Park, NJ

Overall SnackAbility

10
/10
Population 12,655
Rank Last Year 16
Median Home Value $626,100
Unemployment Rate 3.2%

Florham Park, located in Morris County, New Jersey, is ranked as the number 3 best place to live in the state. Florham Park is known for its beautiful parks, including the 127-acre Florham Park Roller Rink and the stunning Frelinghuysen Arboretum. Residents can also enjoy various recreational activities like hiking, biking, and golfing at the nearby Pinch Brook Golf Course. In addition to its natural beauty, Florham Park is less than an hour’s drive away from New York City.

With its affordable, for New Jersey, cost of living and median home price of $626,100, Florham Park offers residents an excellent value for their investment. The borough also boasts a highly educated population, with over 65% of adults having attained a higher education degree.

More on Florham Park: Real Estate | Crime Report | Cost Of Living

Hillsdale, NJ

Overall SnackAbility

10
/10
Population 10,166
Rank Last Year 4
Median Home Value $582,200
Unemployment Rate 3.4%

Hillsdale, another borough located in Bergen County, ranks as the number 4 best place to live in New Jersey. Hillsdale’s appeal lies in top-tier schools, robust demand for housing, and a low crime rate.

The town boasts the Stonybrook Swim Club with its pool complex and recreational facilities and Beechwood Park’s amphitheater, playground, and walking trails provide ample leisure options.

With a range of recreational sports and a community-oriented environment, Hillsdale remains a sought-after location for families and individuals alike, solidifying its reputation as one of the best places to live in the state.

More on Hillsdale: Real Estate | Crime Report | Cost Of Living

Old Tappan, NJ

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

10
/10
Population 5,870
Rank Last Year 28
Median Home Value $805,400
Unemployment Rate 3.3%

Old Tappan, located in Bergen County, New Jersey, has a combination of low cost of living, attractive median home price, and abundant recreational activities, making it a highly desirable place to live in New Jersey. The town is also surrounded by numerous attractions and activities.

You can take advantage of the town’s beautiful parks and green spaces, which offer a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Additionally, Old Tappan is located near the Hudson River, providing easy access to water activities such as boating and fishing.

Old Tappan is conveniently situated near major transportation routes, making it an ideal place for commuters. The town offers a peaceful suburban atmosphere while still within reach of nearby cities’ vibrant cultural and entertainment scenes.

More on Old Tappan: Real Estate | Crime Report | Cost Of Living

Waldwick, NJ

Overall SnackAbility

10
/10
Population 10,086
Rank Last Year 8
Median Home Value $483,200
Unemployment Rate 2.0%

We’re sticking around Bergen County for our 6th best place to live in New Jersey, Waldwick. At $483,200, homes in Waldwick are some of the cheapest you’ll find on this list. Residents still enjoy a high median household income of $132,315/year, which helps give Waldwick the second lowest cost of living among the cities we’re covering here. And an unemployment rate of 2.0% is the 3rd lowest in New Jersey. Just 2.7% of folks in Waldwick are on food stamps, so you know the economy is working just fine here without government assistance.

Low crime numbers and solid scores in education also make Waldwick an attractive place to live. Fans of railroad history will also be interested in visiting the Waldwick Museum.

More on Waldwick: Real Estate | Crime Report | Cost Of Living

Cresskill, NJ

Overall SnackAbility

10
/10
Population 9,096
Rank Last Year 18
Median Home Value $676,400
Unemployment Rate 3.9%

Cresskill is yet another Bergen County representative on this list, ranking as the 7th best place to call home in New Jersey. There’s something special about living in a place where you’re only a half-hour (on a good traffic-day) from New York City’s Broadway, but still have your fill of nature.

The Tenafly Nature Center is just a town over and offers all sorts of events in addition to maintaining countless miles of gorgeous trails. Now, to be fair, Cresskill is one of the richest places in New Jersey, so you’ll want some savings or a lucrative job lined up before making the move.

Cresskill’s median household income is $155,515 and the median home value is $676,400. Aside from steep housing prices, the cost of living in Cresskill is basically on par with the national average. In any case, it’s a small price to pay for safe streets, smart neighbors, excellent local schools, rock-bottom unemployment, and world-class amenities at your doorstep.

More on Cresskill: Real Estate | Crime Report | Cost Of Living

New Providence, NJ

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

10
/10
Population 13,570
Rank Last Year 6
Median Home Value $632,100
Unemployment Rate 3.4%

New Providence, located in Union County, is the number 8 best place to live in the Garden State. With a median home price of $632,100 and a median rent of 1,844, New Providence provides affordable housing options for individuals and families in New Jersey.

The Passaic River Parkway provides a scenic backdrop for outdoor activities such as hiking and picnicking. For those seeking cultural experiences, New Providence is just a short distance from museums and theaters, and there’s always the local New Providence Memorial Library to spend a weekend morning.

More on New Providence: Real Estate | Crime Report | Cost Of Living

Little Silver, NJ

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

10
/10
Population 6,103
Rank Last Year 12
Median Home Value $709,100
Unemployment Rate 3.9%

Located in Monmouth County, New Jersey, Little Silver is ranked as the 9th best place to live in the state. With a population of 6,103 and a median income of 212,069, it offers its residents a high standard of living.

Little Silver enjoys access to the beautiful beaches of the Jersey Shore, which are just a short drive away. The town itself has a charming downtown area with unique shops, restaurants, and cafes.

Little Silver is highly regarded for its top-notch education system, with a high percentage of adults being highly educated. The community prides itself on providing excellent schools that consistently rank among the best in the state. This makes Little Silver an ideal place for families with children.

More on Little Silver: Real Estate | Crime Report | Cost Of Living

Oradell, NJ

Overall SnackAbility

10
/10
Population 8,236
Rank Last Year 38
Median Home Value $661,900
Unemployment Rate 3.0%

Oradell’s combination of safety, top-rated schools, and proximity to both nature and urban amenities make it one of the best places to live in New Jersey. This quaint borough is known for its safe and friendly neighborhoods, making it an ideal location for families.

Oradell has something to do for everyone. You can explore the beautiful Oradell Reservoir in town. Or drive the fifteen miles northwest to Midtown Manhattan for all the cultural attractions and entertainment options that New York City has to offer.

The median home price in Oradell is $661,900, making it an attractive option for those looking to settle down in a charming community without breaking the bank. Moreover, the area’s excellent schools and high median income contribute to a thriving community and a high quality of life.

More on Oradell: Real Estate | Crime Report | Cost Of Living

Mapping The Best And Worst Places To Live in New Jersey

Best Places To Live In New Jersey Size Requirement

Before we even started to collect data on the best places to live in New Jersey, we had to answer a tough question: Is it fair to pit Trenton with a population of 90,097 against places with a population of 18?

We firmly decided no, that just isn’t fair.

So to create our ranking, we broke the best places to live into three tiers:

  • Cities — Populations over 5,000
  • Towns — Populations between 1,000 and 5,000
  • Small Towns — Populations below 1,000

This left us with 177 cities, 209 towns, and 67 small towns.

We then decided, no matter how much anyone loves their town, the best cities to live in New Jersey have more of everything and therefore you need to have over 5,000 people to truly be ‘the best’.

Now we also realize that city living might not be your cup of tea, so we ran the same analysis on the best towns and then again for the best small towns.

You can see the results of those best place rankings at the end of the article.

Methodology: How We Calculated The Best Cities To Live In New Jersey

Now that we had our set of the best possible cities, it was time to rank them.

We ranked each place in New Jersey across a number of criteria from one to 177, with one being the best.

We then took the average rank across all criteria, with the city posting the lowest overall score being crowned the winner of the title “Best Place To Live In New Jersey”.

The criteria we looked to determine the best places were:

  • Median Home Values
  • Median Income
  • Population Density (Higher better)
  • Unemployment Rate
  • Commute Time
  • Crime
  • Education Levels
  • Health Insurance Coverage
  • Poverty rates

Sources of criteria include the New Census Data and FBI Crime Data. You can download the best places data here.

After the dust settled, what was the best place to live in New Jersey? That would be Park Ridge.

If your city or town isn’t among the top 10, jump down to the bottom of the post to see a detailed chart of the best places in New Jersey.

Otherwise, buckle up for a ride down good living lane with Park Ridge at the end of the cul-de-sac.

Summary: The Best Places In New Jersey

If you’re looking at areas in New Jersey with the best economic situations, where there’s lower than average crime, and a lot to do, this is an accurate list.

Park Ridge made a strong showing to take in the overall number one spot for the best place to live in New Jersey for 2023.

Best Towns To Live In New Jersey

  1. Plainsboro Center (Pop. 2,733)
  2. Brielle (Pop. 4,745)
  3. Allenwood (Pop. 1,002)
  4. Barclay (Pop. 4,340)
  5. Ho-Ho-Kus (Pop. 4,139)
  6. Pennington (Pop. 2,567)
  7. Spring Lake Heights (Pop. 4,646)
  8. Robbinsville (Pop. 3,321)
  9. Navesink (Pop. 1,699)
  10. Hopewell (Pop. 1,904)

Best Small Towns To Live In New Jersey

  1. Skillman (Pop. 211)
  2. Belle Mead (Pop. 196)
  3. East Rocky Hill (Pop. 223)
  4. Hainesburg (Pop. 59)
  5. Blawenburg (Pop. 305)
  6. Interlaken (Pop. 806)
  7. Mantoloking (Pop. 276)
  8. Loch Arbour (Pop. 202)
  9. Clyde (Pop. 243)
  10. Rocky Hill (Pop. 618)

If you’re curious enough, here are the worst places to live in New Jersey according to the data:

  1. Camden (Pop. 72,381)
  2. Bridgeton (Pop. 26,643)
  3. Salem (Pop. 5,237)

For more New Jersey reading, check out:

Best Places To Live In New Jersey

Rank City Population Unemployment Rate Home Value
1 Park Ridge 8,987 2.5% $609,500
2 River Edge 12,024 2.4% $549,500
3 Florham Park 12,655 3.2% $626,100
4 Hillsdale 10,166 3.4% $582,200
5 Old Tappan 5,870 3.3% $805,400
6 Waldwick 10,086 2.0% $483,200
7 Cresskill 9,096 3.9% $676,400
8 New Providence 13,570 3.4% $632,100
9 Little Silver 6,103 3.9% $709,100
10 Oradell 8,236 3.0% $661,900
11 Glen Rock 12,098 5.6% $695,300
12 Ridgewood 25,991 4.3% $789,900
13 Haddonfield 12,383 3.7% $558,300
14 Fair Haven 6,235 3.7% $796,500
15 Westfield 30,950 4.3% $810,400
16 Madison 16,819 7.2% $748,800
17 Ramsey 14,801 2.3% $606,600
18 Midland Park 7,041 7.6% $492,700
19 Chatham 9,208 7.0% $827,900
20 North Caldwell 6,633 5.5% $767,200
21 Rumson 7,292 4.4% $1,309,200
22 Westwood 11,267 2.8% $467,600
23 Franklin Lakes 11,034 5.4% $1,016,000
24 Roseland 6,240 5.6% $551,900
25 Hawthorne 19,507 4.9% $419,800
26 Fanwood 7,727 5.1% $498,400
27 Caldwell 8,800 3.9% $460,800
28 Upper Saddle River 8,352 8.2% $930,400
29 Woodcliff Lake 6,112 9.7% $845,900
30 Montvale 8,413 3.6% $657,800
31 Allendale 6,820 4.1% $726,900
32 Haddon Heights 7,453 4.9% $298,400
33 Mountainside 7,003 3.7% $649,600
34 Emerson 7,317 6.5% $556,100
35 Wood-Ridge 9,865 5.3% $454,700
36 Manasquan 5,930 5.0% $742,700
37 Norwood 5,666 2.4% $615,300
38 Matawan 9,486 5.8% $364,800
39 Glen Ridge 7,764 7.0% $674,800
40 Morris Plains 6,081 4.1% $556,100
41 Hoboken 59,369 3.5% $777,600
42 Oakland 12,773 4.8% $475,400
43 Linwood 6,957 6.6% $287,800
44 Maywood 10,049 7.7% $417,200
45 Hasbrouck Heights 12,120 5.6% $448,300
46 Edgewater 14,234 3.4% $653,000
47 Dumont 17,965 5.1% $393,600
48 Fair Lawn 34,820 5.0% $447,500
49 Tenafly 15,307 6.9% $858,900
50 Bernardsville 7,862 6.6% $666,000
51 Bogota 8,830 4.0% $349,600
52 Rutherford 18,781 4.0% $497,200
53 Leonia 9,283 3.7% $546,000
54 Kinnelon 9,994 9.6% $617,200
55 Englewood Cliffs 5,358 6.6% $1,159,200
56 Metuchen 14,883 4.9% $467,400
57 Point Pleasant 18,839 3.6% $407,400
58 Watchung 6,483 5.9% $708,300
59 Ringwood 11,778 5.9% $370,900
60 Butler 8,019 4.0% $354,600
61 Closter 8,573 2.8% $697,800
62 Wanaque 11,285 3.5% $324,800
63 Audubon 8,693 3.1% $236,800
64 Pompton Lakes 11,113 4.0% $338,500
65 New Milford 16,912 5.9% $442,000
66 Somerville 12,453 4.3% $346,300
67 Highland Park 14,947 7.9% $377,100
68 Beachwood 10,863 3.9% $243,900
69 Summit 22,598 6.6% $852,300
70 Union Beach 5,781 5.8% $310,200
71 Mount Arlington 5,812 1.3% $351,200
72 Northfield 8,419 5.5% $224,600
73 Roselle Park 13,973 4.6% $319,400
74 Bergenfield 28,282 6.1% $386,900
75 Carlstadt 6,358 3.3% $428,800
76 North Haledon 8,893 5.8% $429,800
77 Jamesburg 5,784 5.1% $285,900
78 Hopatcong 14,395 3.4% $246,800
79 Totowa 11,013 3.5% $389,300
80 North Arlington 16,339 4.4% $388,100
81 Tinton Falls 19,053 5.0% $374,300
82 Oceanport 6,115 7.2% $568,500
83 Boonton 8,770 4.2% $416,300
84 South Plainfield 24,251 7.0% $362,200
85 Rockaway 6,587 10.1% $356,700
86 Paramus 26,650 6.8% $623,900
87 Ridgefield 11,477 5.9% $457,300
88 Raritan 7,993 5.4% $369,400
89 Lincoln Park 10,877 11.0% $353,500
90 West Long Branch 8,470 7.7% $483,300
91 Manville 10,861 4.2% $266,800
92 Berlin 7,484 2.3% $246,500
93 Barrington 7,031 5.2% $195,100
94 Cliffside Park 25,515 4.5% $470,500
95 Little Ferry 10,973 6.4% $361,800
96 Pitman 8,812 7.8% $195,100
97 Fort Lee 39,701 4.1% $356,200
98 East Rutherford 9,918 3.6% $402,800
99 Bound Brook 11,799 5.0% $289,100
100 Wallington 11,833 7.2% $396,300
Editor’s Note: We updated this article for 2023. This is our tenth time ranking the best places to live in New Jersey.

About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.