Top suburbs for living in New Jersey
Urban areas may boast vibrant nightlife, yet the practicality and cost-effectiveness of the suburbs are drawing attention as the millennial cohort transitions into its home-buying stage. Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic altering work environments and excessively heating the real estate market, individuals have been migrating from large city locales.
In Colorado, for example, lesser-known suburbs adjacent to Denver like Boulder have emerged as desirable spots for younger families, ranking among the most significant destinations for out-of-state millennials who opted to relocate in 2023. Corporations are also recognizing this trend: Numerous businesses are establishing satellite locations and brand-new headquarters in less metropolitan areas.
Stacker has put together a compilation of the finest suburbs for residing in New Jersey by utilizing data from Niche’s 2024 Best Places to Live. Niche evaluates locations based on various elements, such as living expenses, education levels of residents, housing prices, and school quality.
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#30. Old Tappan, New Jersey
– Comprehensive Rank: 353
– Population: 5,863
– Median family income: $195,833
– Median property value: $923,400 (86% own)
– Median rental cost: $3,095 (14% rent)
– Leading public schools: Northern Valley Regional High School – Old Tappan (grade A+), Tappan Zee High School (grade A), Applied Technology High School (grade A)
– Leading private schools: Primoris Academy (grade A+), Bergen Catholic High School (grade A+), Saddle River Day School (grade A+)
#29. Short Hills, New Jersey
– Comprehensive Rank: 344
– Population: 14,448
– Median family income: $250,001
– Median property value: $1,563,100 (86% own)
– Median rental cost: $3,501 (14% rent)
– Leading public schools: Millburn High School (grade A+), Wyoming Elementary School (grade A+), Deerfield Elementary School (grade A+)
– Leading private schools: The Pingry School (grade A+), Newark Academy (grade A+), Delbarton School (grade A+)
#28. Glen Rock, New Jersey
– Comprehensive Rank: 342
– Population: 12,086
– Median family income: $202,586
– Median property value: $786,300 (90% own)
– Median rental cost: $1,909 (10% rent)
– Leading public schools: Bergen County Academies (grade A+), Bergen County Technical High School – Teterboro (grade A+), Diana C. Lobosco STEM Academy (grade A+)
– Leading private schools: Dwight-Englewood School (grade A+), Primoris Academy (grade A+), Bergen Catholic High School (grade A+)
#27. Fair Haven, New Jersey
– Comprehensive Rank: 339
– Population: 6,221
– Median family income: $229,643
– Median property value: $898,200 (93% own)
– Median rental cost: $3,501 (7% rent)
– Leading public schools: High Technology High School (grade A+), Marine Academy of Science & Technology (grade A+), Rumson Fair Haven Regional High School (grade A+)
– Leading private schools: Ranney School (grade A+), Red Bank Catholic High School (grade A), Voyagers’ Community School (grade A)
#26. Chatham, New Jersey
– Comprehensive Rank: 324
– Population: 9,199
– Median family income: $250,001
– Median property value: $944,600 (84% own)
– Median rental cost: $2,201 (16% rent)
– Leading public schools: The Academy for Mathematics, Science & Engineering (grade A+), Washington School (grade A+), Chatham High School (grade A+)
– Leading private schools: The Pingry School (grade A+), Newark Academy (grade A+), Delbarton School (grade A+)
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#25. Fair Lawn, New Jersey
– Comprehensive Rank: 318
– Population: 34,948
– Median family income: $141,540
– Median property value: $488,300 (79% own)
– Median rental cost: $1,836 (21% rent)
– Leading public schools: Bergen County Academies (grade A+), Bergen County Technical High School – Teterboro (grade A+), Diana C. Lobosco STEM Academy (grade A+)
– Leading private schools: Dwight-Englewood School (grade A+), Primoris Academy (grade A+), Pioneer Academy (grade A+)
#24. Westfield, New Jersey
– Comprehensive Rank: 309
– Population: 30,839
– Median family income: $203,235
– Median property value: $890,000 (80% own)
– Median rental cost: $2,179 (20% rent)
– Leading public schools: Union County Magnet High School (grade A+), Academy for Information Technology (grade A+), Academy for Allied Health Science (grade A+)
– Leading private schools: The Pingry School (grade A+), The Wardlaw + Hartridge School (grade A+), Kent Place School (grade A+)
#23. Highland Park, New Jersey
– Comprehensive Rank: 305
– Population: 14,996
– Median family income: $93,927
– Median property value: $420,900 (38% own)
– Median rental cost: $1,755 (62% rent)
– Leading public schools: Middlesex County Academy for Science, Mathematics, & Engineering Technologies (grade A+), Hatikvah International Charter School (grade A+), Middlesex County Academy for Allied Health & Biomedical Sciences (grade A)
– Leading private schools: Rutgers Preparatory School (grade A+), Overlake Preparatory Academy (grade A+), Darul Arqam School (grade A+)
#22. Fort Lee, New Jersey
– Comprehensive Rank: 302
– Population: 39,799
– Median family income: $101,573
– Median property value: $393,200 (58% own)
– Median rental cost: $2,159 (42% rent)
– Leading public schools: Bergen County Academies (grade A+), Bergen County Technical High School – Teterboro (grade A+), High Tech High School (grade A+)
– Leading private schools: Riverdale Country School (grade A+), Horace Mann School (grade A+), Trinity School (grade A+)
#21. Bedminster Township, New Jersey
– Comprehensive Rank: 293
– Population: 8,245
– Median family income: $126,190
– Median property value: $432,100 (79% own)
– Median rental cost: $2,168 (21% rent)
– Leading public schools: Unity Charter School (grade A+), Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School (grade A), Hamilton Primary School (grade A)
– Leading private schools: The Pingry School (grade A+), Delbarton School (grade A+), Rutgers Preparatory School (grade A+)
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#20. Edgewater, New Jersey
– Comprehensive Rank: 283
– Population: 14,394
– Median family income: $136,806
– Median property value: $750,200 (42% own)
– Median rental cost: $2,580 (58% rent)
– Leading public schools: Bergen County Academies (grade A+), Bergen County Technical High School – Teterboro (grade A+), Elysian Charter School (grade A)
– Leading private schools: Riverdale Country School (grade A+), Horace Mann School (grade A+), Trinity School (grade A+)
#19. Livingston Township, New Jersey
– Comprehensive Rank: 282
– Population: 31,091
– Median family income: $202,619
– Median property value: $709,800 (87% own)
– Median rental cost: $2,818 (13% rent)
– Leading public schools: The Academy for Mathematics, Science & Engineering (grade A+), Deerfield Elementary School (grade A+), Millburn Middle School (grade A+)
– Leading private schools: Newark Academy (grade A+), Kent Place School (grade A+), Morristown Beard School (grade A+)
#18. Moorestown Township, New Jersey
– Comprehensive Rank: 277
– Population: 21,337
– Median family income: $164,796
– Median property value: $605,200 (86% own)
– Median rental cost: $1,400 (14% rent)
– Leading public schools: Moorestown High School (grade A+), George C. Baker Elementary School (grade A), Moorestown Upper Elementary School (grade A)
– Leading private schools: Friends Select School (grade A+), Moorestown Friends School (grade A+), Doane Academy (grade A+)
#17. Fanwood, New Jersey
– Comprehensive Rank: 269
– Population: 7,723
– Median family income: $177,727
– Median property value: $588,100 (87% own)
– Median rental cost: $2,254 (13% rent)
– Leading public schools: Union County Magnet High School (grade A+), Academy for Information Technology (grade A+), Academy for Allied Health Science (grade A+)
– Leading private schools: The Pingry School (grade A+), The Wardlaw + Hartridge School (grade A+), Kent Place School (grade A+)
#16. Berkeley Heights Township, New Jersey
– Comprehensive Rank: 251
– Population: 13,120
– Median family income: $196,389
– Median property value: $695,000 (95% own)
– Median rental cost: $2,444 (5% rent)
– Leading public schools: Union County Magnet High School (grade A+), Academy for Information Technology (grade A+), Academy for Allied Health Science (grade A)
– Leading private schools: The Pingry School (grade A+), Newark Academy (grade A+), Kent Place School (grade A+)
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#15. Glen Ridge, New Jersey
– Comprehensive Rank: 245
– Population: 7,797
– Median family income: $246,429
– Median property value: $696,700 (95% own)
– Median rental cost: $2,012 (5% rent)
– Leading public schools: Bergen County Technical High School – Teterboro (grade A+), Ridgewood Avenue School (grade A), Glen Ridge High School (grade A)
– Leading private schools: Pioneer Academy (grade A+), Golda Och Academy (grade A+), Montclair Kimberley Academy (grade A+)
#14. Madison, New Jersey
– Comprehensive Rank: 233
– Population: 16,521
– Median family income: $163,567
– Median property value: $844,700 (64% own)
– Median rental cost: $2,168 (36% rent)
– Leading public schools: The Academy for Mathematics, Science & Engineering (grade A+), Washington School (grade A+), Morris County School of Technology (grade A+)
– Leading private schools: The Pingry School (grade A+), Newark Academy (grade A+), Delbarton School (grade A+)
#13. Haddonfield, New Jersey
– Comprehensive Rank: 207
– Population: 12,456
– Median family income: $178,362
– Median property value: $623,900 (84% own)
– Median rental cost: $1,711 (16% rent)
– Leading public schools: Haddonfield Memorial High School (grade A+), Elizabeth Haddon Elementary School (grade A), Central Elementary School (grade A)
– Leading private schools: Friends Select School (grade A+), Moorestown Friends School (grade A+), St. Joseph’s Preparatory School (grade A+)
#12. Haworth, New Jersey
– Comprehensive Rank: 195
– Population: 3,342
– Median family income: $215,972
– Median property value: $777,400 (93% own)
– Median rental cost: $3,501 (7% rent)
– Leading public schools: Bergen County Academies (grade A+), Northern Valley Regional High School Demarest (grade A+), Haworth Public School (grade A+)
– Leading private schools: Dwight-Englewood School (grade A+), Primoris Academy (grade A+), Bergen Catholic High School (grade A+)
#11. Summit, New Jersey
– Comprehensive Rank: 185
– Population: 22,555
– Median family income: $176,702
– Median property value: $907,900 (71% own)
– Median rental cost: $2,222 (29% rent)
– Leading public schools: Union County Magnet High School (grade A+), Academy for Information Technology (grade A+), Academy for Allied Health Science (grade A)
– Leading private schools: The Pingry School (grade A+), Newark Academy (grade A+), Delbarton School (grade A+)
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#10. New Providence, New Jersey
– Comprehensive Rank: 178
– Population: 13,595
– Median family income: $167,188
– Median property value: $700,700 (77% own)
– Median rental cost: $1,896 (23% rent)
– Leading public schools: Union County Magnet High School (grade A+), Academy for Information Technology (grade A+), Academy for Allied Health Science (grade A+)
– Leading private schools: The Pingry School (grade A+), Newark Academy (grade A+), Kent Place School (grade A+)
#9. Metuchen, New Jersey
– Comprehensive Rank: 164
– Population: 14,958
– Median family income: $154,339
– Median property value: $537,000 (75% own)
– Median rental cost: $1,933 (25% rent)
– Leading public schools: Union County Magnet High School (grade A+), Academy for Information Technology (grade A+), Academy for Allied Health Science (grade A+)
– Leading private schools: Rutgers Preparatory School (grade A+), The Wardlaw + Hartridge School (grade A+), Overlake Preparatory Academy (grade A+)
#8. Upper Montclair, New Jersey
– Comprehensive Rank: 148
– Population: 12,441
– Median family income: $234,620
– Median property value: $900,100 (84% own)
– Median rental cost: $2,302 (16% rent)
– Leading public schools: Bergen County Technical High School – Teterboro (grade A+), Montclair High School (grade A), Applied Technology High School (grade A)
– Leading private schools: Pioneer Academy (grade A+), Golda Och Academy (grade A+), Montclair Kimberley Academy (grade A+)
#7. Hoboken, New Jersey
– Comprehensive Rank: 127
– Population: 58,754
– Median family income: $168,137
– Median property value: $859,300 (34% own)
– Median rental cost: $2,648 (66% rent)
– Leading public schools: Bergen County Technical High School – Teterboro (grade A+), High Tech High School (grade A+), MS 915 – Bridges: A school for Exploration and Equity (grade A+)
– Leading private schools: Trinity School (grade A+), Collegiate School (grade A+), Avenues The World School (grade A+)
#6. Mountain Lakes, New Jersey
– Comprehensive Rank: 124
– Population: 4,499
– Median family income: $250,001
– Median property value: $869,800 (96% own)
– Median rental cost: $3,501 (4% rent)
– Leading public schools: The Academy for Mathematics, Science & Engineering (grade A+), Wildwood Elementary School (grade A+), Mountain Lakes High School (grade A+)
– Leading private schools: Newark Academy (grade A+), Pioneer Academy (grade A+), Morristown Beard School (grade A+)
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#5. Closter, New Jersey
– Comprehensive Rank: 115
– Population: 8,555
– Median family income: $181,652
– Median property value: $774,100 (81% own)
– Median rental cost: $2,558 (19% rent)
– Leading public schools: Bergen County Academies (grade A+), Northern Valley Regional High School Demarest (grade A+), Northern Valley Regional High School – Old Tappan (grade A+)
– Leading private schools: Dwight-Englewood School (grade A+), Primoris Academy (grade A+), Bergen Catholic High School (grade A+)
#4. River Edge, New Jersey
– Comprehensive Rank: 98
– Population: 12,022
– Median family income: $150,073
– Median property value: $625,000 (78% own)
– Median rental cost: $1,789 (22% rent)
– Leading public schools: Bergen County Academies (grade A+), Bergen County Technical High School – Teterboro (grade A+), Cherry Hill School (grade A)
– Leading private schools: Collegiate School (grade A+), Dwight-Englewood School (grade A+), Primoris Academy (grade A+)
#3. Harrington Park, New Jersey
– Comprehensive Rank: 85
– Population: 4,826
– Median family income: $183,138
– Median property value: $689,900 (98% own)
– Median rental cost: $3,501 (2% rent)
– Leading public schools: Northern Valley Regional High School – Old Tappan (grade A+), Harrington Park School District (grade A+), Applied Technology High School (grade A)
– Leading private schools: Primoris Academy (grade A+), Bergen Catholic High School (grade A+), Saddle River Day School (grade A+)
#2. Ridgewood, New Jersey
– Comprehensive Rank: 63
– Population: 26,043
– Median family income: $211,224
– Median property value: $858,900 (83% own)
– Median rental cost: $2,349 (17% rent)
– Leading public schools: Bergen County Academies (grade A+), Bergen County Technical High School – Teterboro (grade A+), Ridgewood High School (grade A+)
– Leading private schools: Dwight-Englewood School (grade A+), Primoris Academy (grade A+), Bergen Catholic High School (grade A+)
#1. Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey
– Comprehensive Rank: 30
– Population: 4,234
– Median family income: $250,001
– Median property value: $949,800 (92% own)
– Median rental cost: $1,914 (8% rent)
– Leading public schools: Bergen County Academies (grade A+), Bergen County Technical High School – Teterboro (grade A+), Ho-Ho-Kus Public School (grade A+)
– Leading private schools: Primoris Academy (grade A+), Bergen Catholic High School (grade A+), Saddle River Day School (grade A+)
This article features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 40 states.
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By Stacker
