The best places to live in New Jersey are an eclectic mix of suburban bedroom communities and charming small rural towns. New Jersey boasts easy access to both the Philadelphia and New York City metro areas, making it an excellent location for young business professionals and commuters. Overall, the state is very diverse and offers a plethora of benefits to its residents. Keep reading to learn the best places to live in NJ and how we can help you move there!
The Best Places to Live in NJ in 2023
The Garden State is known for its rich history, diverse culture, and close proximity to major cities. But beyond these, New Jersey boasts some of the most appealing towns and cities to call home. Based on 2023 data from Niche, we’ve compiled a list of the best places to live in New Jersey that takes into account factors like cost of living, school quality, crime rates, and local amenities. Join us as we explore the top-rated locales that make it easy to answer the question, “Is New Jersey a good place to live?”
10. UPPER MONTCLAIR
| County | Essex |
|---|---|
| Population | 12,033 |
| Closest Metro Area | New York City |
| Average home value (2022) | $797,400 |
| Average household income (2019) | $235,637 |
| Niche Rankings | #1 Best Places to Live in Essex County, #1 Best Suburbs to Live in Essex County, #8 Best Suburbs to Live in New Jersey |
“It has a little bit of everything- urban areas with restaurants, stores and cafes; lots of greenery, parks, and hiking trails; friendly people and neighbors; proximity to the city; safety! Love living here!” – Niche Review of Upper Montclair
9. MOUNTAIN LAKES
| County | Morris |
|---|---|
| Population | 4,464 |
| Closest Metro Area | New York City |
| Average home value (2022) | $818,900 |
| Average household income (2019) | $250,001 |
| Niche Rankings | #1 Best Suburbs to Raise a Family in New Jersey, #2 Best Places to Raise a Family in New Jersey, #6 Best Suburbs to Buy a House in New Jersey |
“You’ll wish you grew up here! Luckily, I did, and moved back to raise our children. So many Lakers who grew up here have moved back here the past few years because they appreciate the wonderful community, top schools, great recreation with many lakes and hiking! It’s a real testament to our town. So easy to make friends here. I love the history of the town too. The town celebrates the history and is protective of the charm and natural setting.” – Niche Review of Mountain Lakes
8. HARRINGTON PARK
| County | Bergen |
|---|---|
| Population | 4,801 |
| Closest Metro Area | New York City |
| Average home value (2022) | $612,000 |
| Average household income (2019) | $140,958 |
| Niche Rankings | #3 Best Places to Raise a Family in Bergen County, #3 Best Suburbs to Raise a Family in Bergen County, #5 Best Suburbs to Raise a Family in New Jersey |
“Harrington Park is an extremely safe and quaint town. Just miles from New York City, there is always something to do in the surrounding area, whether it be go see a game at MetLife, visit the newly opened American Dream, or even drive up to Connecticut.” – Niche Review of Harrington Park
7. BERKELEY HEIGHTS TOWNSHIP
| County | Union |
|---|---|
| Population | 13,147 |
| Closest Metro Area | New York City |
| Average home value (2022) | $648,800 |
| Average household income (2019) | $177,219 |
| Niche Rankings | #1 Best Places to Live in Union County, #1 Best Places to Raise a Family in Union County, #5 Best Suburbs to Live in New Jersey |
“The Berkeley Heights Township is a small suburban town located between Central and North Jersey. Within our community, we hold one of New Jersey’s best education systems. Many of our high school graduates have done successful by attending our schools. The area is family friendly and has a variety of locations to enjoy your day, like a picnic at Snyder Park or a nice cool down at one of our two pools. Berkeley Heights contains many family owned businesses and has plenty of history. Nearly less then 10 minutes away is the Watchung Reservation. The “resz” is a place where the Native Americans from years ago sheltered and lived their lives. Here in BH we have multiple restaurants such as Delicious Heights, Dominoes, Hop Hing and East, La Rosa and many more. Coming to Berkeley Heights will leave you with a positive impact!” – Niche Review of Berkeley Heights Township
6. CLOSTER
| County | Bergen |
|---|---|
| Population | 8,573 |
| Closest Metro Area | New York City |
| Average home value (2023) | $697,800 |
| Average household income (2023) | $166,125 |
| Niche Rankings | #4 Best Suburbs to Live in New Jersey, #4 Best Places to Live in Bergen County, #4 Best Places to Raise a Family in Bergen County |
“We moved to Closter after living in the downtown metro area of Jersey City. My husband and I both work in NYC and the commute is doable. The town is beautiful and it’s people diverse, kind, and educated. The school system is fantastic. Our 7 year old loves it here and we plan to spend many years here.” – Niche Review of Closter
5. RIVER EDGE
| County | Bergen |
|---|---|
| Population | 12,024 |
| Closest Metro Area | New York City |
| Average home value (2022) | $549,500 |
| Average household income (2019) | $142,214 |
| Niche Rankings | #3 Best Suburbs to Live in New Jersey, #3 Best Places to Live in Bergen County, #3 Best Suburbs to Live in Bergen County |
“Beautiful town, lot to offer in surrounding area. Has great public schools, a variety of local parks including Bergen County Park and Zoo. Some good local restaurants but not a crazy nightlife. Great family town for young families looking to grow in size.” – Niche Review of River Edge
4. RIDGEWOOD
| County | Bergen |
|---|---|
| Population | 25,991 |
| Closest Metro Area | New York City |
| Average home value (2022) | $789,900 |
| Average household income (2019) | $194,256 |
| Niche Rankings | #2 Best Suburbs to Live in New Jersey, #2 Best Places to Live in Bergen County, #2 Best Suburbs to Live in Bergen County |
“Straight out of a storybook! I completely love the vibrant downtown scene. The community is made up of highly educated and caring residents that would do anything for one another.” – Niche Review of Ridgewood
3. HO-HO-KUS
| County | Bergen |
|---|---|
| Population | 4,248 |
| Closest Metro Area | New York City |
| Average home value (2022) | 815,200 |
| Average household income (2019) | $244,493 |
| Niche Rankings | #1 Best Suburbs to Live in New Jersey, #3 Best Suburbs to Raise a Family in New Jersey, #4 Best Places to Raise a Family in New Jersey |
“As a long time NJ resident we looked closely at every town in Northern NJ and Ho-Ho-Kus had the best of everything we were looking for. The schools were great, lots of well educated families, a town you could walk to, great restaurants, the ability to get really involved in the town or not at all and reasonable taxes compared to the rest of Bergen County. ” – Niche Review of Ho-Ho-Kus
2. PRINCETON
| County | Mercer |
|---|---|
| Population | 30,717 |
| Closest Metro Area | Trenton, NJ. About halfway between Philadelphia and NYC |
| Average home value (2023) | $893,600 |
| Average household income (2023) | $165,149 |
| Niche Rankings | #1 Best Places for Young Professionals in Mercer County, #2 Places with the Best Public Schools in New Jersey, #9 Best Places to Raise a Family in New Jersey |
“Small town feel with all of the big city conveniences, Princeton is filled with scenic beauty, open reserves, hiking trails, museums, theaters, restaurants. Just an hour train ride away from New York and Philadelphia, an hour drive to the nearest shores, 2 hour flight to DC and Boston.” – Niche Review of Princeton
1. Princeton Junction
| Township | West Windsor |
|---|---|
| County | Mercer |
| Population | 2,208 |
| Closest Metro Area | Trenton, NJ. About halfway between Philadelphia and NYC. |
| Average home value (2022) | $574,100 |
| Average household income (2019) | $196,364 |
| Niche Rankings | #1 Best Places to Buy a House in New Jersey, #1 Best Places to Raise a Family in New Jersey, #10 Best Places to Raise a Family in America |
“Moved here from Manhattan and been living here for 21 years, and love it. Great for raising a family, social and cultural diversity, convenience, safe, great schools, lots of outdoor spaces in and around town. Great sense of community, pride and ownership in town. Eclectic food scene. Access to Princeton University, NYC and Philadelphia.” – Niche Review of Princeton Junction
Bonus: Top 5 Safest Places to Live in NJ
While the above top 10 rankings focus on a variety of factors, including employment opportunities and cost of living, you might be more focused on safety. If that’s the case, consider one of these safest places to live in NJ:
- Ho-Ho-Kus
- River Edge
- Closter
- Princeton
- Ridgewood
According to Niche, those are the safest neighborhoods–that just so happen to rank on our list of best places to live in NJ!
So, Is New Jersey a Good Place to Live?
Absolutely! Picking one of the best and safest neighborhoods in this diverse state can truly enhance your quality of life. When you choose one of the best places to live in New Jersey, you’re not just getting a house; you’re getting a community. These areas are known for their low crime rates, excellent educational institutions, and a plethora of recreational opportunities. They offer a sense of security and peace that every homeowner desires.
Moving to New Jersey? We Can Help!
If you’re ready to reap the benefits of all that New Jersey has to offer, you’ll need a team of professional, trustworthy movers to get you there.
Metropolis Moving is a Brooklyn-based moving company with tons of experience moving in and out of New York City, New Jersey, and more. Get a moving quote today so you can start building your American Dream in the Garden State.
