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Best Places To Live in New Jersey

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Best Places To Live in New Jersey

The Garden State is prized for its green spaces, miles of seashore and thriving urban centers. Here are the top cities to live in New Jersey.

By Livability on February 27, 2024

New Jersey — otherwise known as the Garden State — is well-known for its dense urban areas and its lovely 141-mile Jersey Shore, where families flock each summer. The Skylands region is an outdoor lover’s paradise with rivers, lakes and scenic mountains perfect for hiking, camping and hunting. And, of course, Atlantic City, with its famous casinos and boardwalk, draws tourists from all over.

This state of 9.2 million people, ranked 11th in the country for population, has an innovative and diverse economy with advanced manufacturing, finance, life sciences, pharmaceuticals and transportation and logistics. Thirteen Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in the state, including Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Prudential Financial and Cognizant.

Many of New Jersey’s cities offer easy access to New York City, making it a more affordable option for people to own their own homes and commute for work. History is also prevalent in many places across the state, including sights significant to our country’s founding, such as Ellis Island and Liberty State Park. Here’s a list of the best places to live in New Jersey. 

Clifton

A view of Weasel Brook Park in Clifton, New Jersey, during the winter. Clifton is a best city in New Jersey.
iStock/texpan
A view of Weasel Brook Park in Clifton, New Jersey, during the winter.

Clifton is a best city in New Jersey.

Located about an hour west of New York City, Clifton is praised for its family-friendly atmosphere, charming neighborhoods and exceptional schools. Those are just a few reasons why the city was named one of the Best Places to Live in the U.S. for 2023 by Livability.com. Clifton’s population is just under 90,000 and boasts a culturally diverse community of close-knit neighbors. Clifton is a place where young professionals can find satisfying careers in both start-ups and established companies in manufacturing, health care and retail industries. Plus, it’s an easy commute to the Big Apple! The city is alive with various festivals throughout the year that reflect the diversity of its residents. That cultural diversity also translates to some delicious fare at Clifton’s many restaurants and a vibrant arts scene. Outdoor enthusiasts will also find plenty of parks, trails and gardens to explore. 

Why is Clifton so diverse?

Many cultures commingle in Clifton, which is a selling point for those looking for an accepting community to call home. Clifton has thriving Asian, Middle Eastern, Hispanic and Eastern European people among its many residents, making it a welcoming city for both those who live here and those interested in moving.

Read more about living in Clifton, NJ.

Hoboken

Hudson River waterfront area as seen from Maxwell Place Park in Hoboken, New Jersey.
iStock/Thomas Kloc
The Hudson River waterfront area in Hoboken, New Jersey, is packed with parks and green spaces.

Hoboken is a best place to live in New Jersey.

Hoboken is one of New Jersey’s most popular cities for those who want a quick commute to the Big Apple without NYC prices. The Hudson River has terrific views and access to the many outdoor activities — including parks and green spaces — along the riverfront. Hoboken, often called the best suburb of NYC, supports lively food and drink establishments and a colorful arts and entertainment scene, including the Hoboken Arts & Music Festival and the Hoboken International Film Festival. With a population of just over 55,000, Hoboken is only 2 square miles but packs a wealth of livable and desirable amenities in that space, handily making it one of the best places to live in New Jersey. 

What is Hoboken best known for?

Two American favorites — Frank Sinatra and baseball — originated in Hoboken, and the first brewery in the country opened in the city in 1641! Founded in 1870, Hoboken’s Stevens Institute of Technology is the oldest technological university in the country and remains an essential private research facility. And you can thank Hoboken for being the city where the zipper was invented. All kinds of interesting historical facts about the city can be found at the Hoboken Historical Museum.

Read more about living in Hoboken, NJ.

Jersey City

An image of the Jersey City, New Jersey skyline viewed from Liberty State Park. Jersey City is a great city to live in New Jersey.
iStock/pabradyphoto
Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey, offers views of downtown Jersey City as well as the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Jersey City is a great city to live in New Jersey.

Named one of the Best Places to Live in the U.S. for 2023 by Livability.com, Jersey City’s 268,000-plus residents have the best of both worlds. Located just across the Hudson River from Manhattan, Jersey City provides terrific views of the NYC skyline but a more laid-back vibe with a slew of amenities of its own. There’s an eclectic food scene, a bustling financial district (nicknamed Wall Street West) and beautiful parks and waterfronts, including those centered around the Hudson and Hackensack rivers. Head towards downtown Jersey City for various restaurants and nightlife, or pop in one of the many area coffee shops or biergartens. The city has a few small higher educational institutions, such as New Jersey City University, Hudson County Community College and Saint Peter’s University. The city’s primary industries include health care, logistics, transportation and financial services.

Where’s the best place to see the riverfront?

It’s hard to beat a stroll along the waterfront at Liberty State Park, with views of the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island (ferry service is available from the park to both historic sites). The Hudson River Waterfront Walkway is another fabulous place to wander around in Jersey City, with the dramatic Big Apple cityscape in the distance.

Read more about living in Jersey City, NJ.

Morristown

Morristown, New Jersey, is loaded with historic sites, including the country’s first national historic park.

Morristown is a best city in New Jersey.

Morristown offers residents historic charm, exciting arts and culture, lots of area trails and parks and a fabulous restaurant and bar scene. Morristown’s suburban neighborhoods appeal to young professionals, primarily in the 25 to 35 age range, making up the largest population of this city, more than 20,000 people. Morristown is very walkable with excellent rail access, making it the perfect commuter town.

The Mayo Performing Arts Center and Morris Museum provide cultural events and programming, and Fosterfields Living Historical Farm treats residents to what farming was like 100 years ago. Some of the larger companies in Morristown include Colas USA, Alliant Technologies and Atlantic Health System. 

What’s Morristown’s historic significance?

Known as The Military Capital of the American Revolution, Morristown has several important historic sites and monuments. Morristown National Historical Park, the country’s first national historical park, features hiking trails, an 18th-century farm and several reconstructed soldier huts. This was Gen. George Washington and the Continental Army’s winter encampment from December 1779 to June 1780. Other historic sites in the city include Historic Speedwell, Schuyler-Hamilton House and the statue of Steve Wiley.

Read more about living in Morristown, NJ.

Newark

Newark, New Jersey, is known for its glamorous performing arts venues, premium outlet mall and museums.

Newark is a best place to live in New Jersey.

Newark, known by many as an airport hub with easy access to New York City, is also why this city of a little over 300,000 is a popular place to put down roots. The cost of living is lower than some of New Jersey’s other nearby communities, with affordable housing available no matter where you land. In addition, the city boasts excellent restaurants, a vibrant arts scene and plenty of places to explore outdoors. Some of the larger companies headquartered in Newark include Audible, Prudential Financial and Panasonic, and the city also has its share of tech startups and other small businesses. The Port Newark Container Terminal is important to Newark’s economy as it’s the largest container shipping center in the Northeast. Educational opportunities abound, from community colleges to law schools and medical programs.

What makes Newark stand out?

Newark is New Jersey’s largest city and is known for its diversity, including a large population of Portuguese immigrants. The city is a major East Coast shipping and distribution center and home to Newark Liberty International Airport, one of three that service the Big Apple. The city has a prominent beer history, and many of its mansions were built by beer barons.

Read more about living in Newark, NJ.

Paterson

The aerial cityscape of Paterson, NJ and its old courthouse. Paterson is a great city to live in New Jersey.
iStock/Ultima_Gaina
The aerial cityscape of Paterson, New Jersey, and its old courthouse.

Paterson is a great city to live in New Jersey.

Some of the pros of living in Paterson are diversity, affordability, walkability and easy access to New York City. This northeastern New Jersey city of almost 158,000 is a melting pot of different cultures divided into six wards, with areas designated as Little Istanbul, Little Ramallah, Little Lima and Little Italy, reflected in the exciting array of restaurants across the city. Shoppers head to Center City Mall or the Street Corner and can find plenty to do at places like Paterson Museum, Lambert Castle, and Paterson Great Falls National Historic Park. Some of the city’s top employers include Brownstone Investment Group, the City of Paterson and PCSST.

What is interesting about Paterson’s history?

Founded by none other than Alexander Hamilton in 1792, Paterson was really the first planned industrial center in the country, with the factories powered by the Great Falls of the Passaic River. Today, the city is still home to custom furniture builders, but in earlier times, it was where locomotives and firearms were made. Paterson was known for its many silk mills during its boom years, which is why it is often referred to as Silk City. 

Read more about living in Paterson, NJ.

Trenton

An aerial shot of Trenton, New Jersey on a sunny afternoon in Fall.
iStock/halbergman
An aerial shot of Trenton, New Jersey on a sunny afternoon in Fall.

Trenton is a best city in New Jersey.

With a population of just over 90,000, Trenton residents enjoy a vibrant economy due primarily to its designation as the state capital. Other industry sectors include finance, health care and manufacturing. Some of the city’s larger companies include CharterX, state government and Capital Health. History has a home here — Trenton is where George Washington had his first military victory — with many notable sites, including historic homes, monuments and museums. The city’s burgeoning arts scene features art galleries, theater and the Trenton Film Festival. Several higher education institutions, such as Thomas Edison State University, The College of New Jersey and Mercer County Community College, are part of the city’s educational fabric. Both New York City and Philadelphia are easily accessible to Trenton residents. 

What’s the food like in Trenton?

Diverse sums up Trenton’s dining scene in a nutshell. Residents will find a wide array of restaurants to choose from in the downtown area, and the Chambersburg neighborhood is where you’ll find a taste of Latin American fare. Trenton also has a zeal for tomato pie and pork roll (formerly known as Taylor Ham), which is celebrated at the city’s annual Pork Roll Festival.

Read more about living in Trenton, NJ.

Thinking of moving to New Jersey?

Finding a great place to live in New Jersey doesn’t have to be a chore. We have more resources for moving to New Jersey as well as other best places to live in the Northeast. No matter where you want to live, we can help you decide where to move and discover the best places to live in the U.S.

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