Top 10 Best Towns to Live in New Jersey

Direct Answer

The Best Overall town to live in New Jersey is Princeton, a walkable Ivy League college town in Mercer County where an Ivy campus, top-rated schools, and a vibrant downtown combine with a median home price near $1,050,000 to deliver one of the best quality-of-life packages in the state.

The Best Value pick is Cranford, a Union County commuter town where a charming downtown, an NJ Transit station with a one-seat ride to Manhattan, and strong schools come with a median home near $625,000 — far gentler than the million-dollar suburbs while keeping the same Midtown Direct lifestyle.

This list is built for families and commuting professionals who want excellent schools, walkable downtowns, low crime, and a reasonable train ride to New York City — whether the budget sits near $600,000 or stretches past $1.5 million. Every figure uses real, publicly reported data from Census, Zillow, and Niche.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We scored each town on what New Jersey families and commuters actually prioritize, drawing on published data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Zillow, Niche, GreatSchools, BestPlaces, and NJ Transit. The weighting:

• School quality — 25%
• Safety and low crime — 20%
• Commute and transit to NYC — 20%
• Affordability and home value — 15%
• Downtown walkability and amenities — 10%
• Community feel and parks — 10%

A town with great schools but a brutal commute, or a pretty downtown with weak districts, drops fast. The winners balance all six.

1. Princeton 🏆 BEST OVERALL

County: Mercer | Median home: $1,050,000 | Best for: Families who want a walkable college town with elite schools

Princeton is the gold standard for New Jersey living. With a population near 31,000, it surrounds Princeton University, an Ivy League campus that gives the town museums, lectures, and Nassau Street's lively, walkable downtown of shops and restaurants. Princeton Public Schools rank among the very best in the state, crime is very low, and the leafy residential streets blend historic homes with modern builds.

Cost of living and home prices are high, but the NJ Transit "Dinky" line connects to the Northeast Corridor for a roughly 60–75 minute ride to New York Penn Station, with Philadelphia even closer. Jobs are plentiful in education, pharma (nearby Princeton Junction corridor), and finance.

The vibe is intellectual, green, and refined.

Pros:

• Princeton University anchors culture, jobs, and walkability
• Among the top-rated public school districts in New Jersey
• Nassau Street downtown is genuinely walkable and lively
• Very low crime and abundant parks and green space

Cons:

• Median home prices exceed $1 million
• Commute to NYC requires a transfer at Princeton Junction

Verdict: Princeton wins on balance — elite schools, a walkable Ivy downtown, safety, and culture with no real weak spot.

2. Ridgewood

County: Bergen | Median home: $1,000,000 | Best for: Commuter families who want a classic downtown and a fast train

Ridgewood is the quintessential Bergen County commuter town, with a population near 25,000 and one of the best downtowns in North Jersey. The central business district brims with restaurants and shops, all walkable from tree-lined neighborhoods. Ridgewood Public Schools are top-tier, sending graduates to elite colleges, and crime is very low.

The big draw is the NJ Transit Main/Bergen line from Ridgewood station, a roughly 50–60 minute ride to Hoboken or New York. Cost of living and home prices run high, reflecting the demand, but families pay for schools, safety, and a true town center. The vibe is polished, family-first, and community-driven.

Pros:

• One of North Jersey's best walkable downtowns
• Top-rated Ridgewood public schools
• NJ Transit station with direct service toward NYC
• Very low crime and strong community events

Cons:

• Home prices near or above $1 million
• Train commute requires a transfer for Penn Station

Verdict: Ridgewood is the Bergen County standard — buy in for the downtown, the schools, and the classic commuter lifestyle.

3. Montclair

County: Essex | Median home: $850,000 | Best for: Creative families who want diversity, arts, and a quick commute

Montclair is New Jersey's cultural hub, a diverse Essex County town of about 41,000 known for its arts scene, restaurants, and Montclair State University. The town offers multiple NJ Transit Midtown Direct stations with a one-seat ride to New York Penn Station in roughly 35–45 minutes — among the best commutes on this list.

Downtown districts along Bloomfield Avenue and Church Street are walkable and packed with galleries, theaters, and dining. Montclair Public Schools use a magnet system and are well regarded, crime is moderate and concentrated, and the town's Victorian homes draw architecture lovers.

The vibe is progressive, artsy, and energetic.

Pros:

• Midtown Direct trains reach Penn Station in 35–45 minutes
• Rich arts, film, and dining scene with a magnet school system
• Diverse, walkable downtowns on Bloomfield Avenue
• Beautiful Victorian and Tudor housing stock

Cons:

• Property taxes are among the highest in the state
• Home prices have climbed sharply

Verdict: Montclair is the culture-and-commute champion — ideal for families who want the arts and a fast train to the city.

4. Westfield

County: Union | Median home: $875,000 | Best for: Families who want a thriving downtown and a one-seat NYC ride

Westfield combines a bustling downtown with a coveted commute. The Union County town of roughly 30,000 centers on a vibrant retail district of restaurants, boutiques, and a movie theater, all walkable from leafy neighborhoods. The Westfield NJ Transit station offers a Midtown Direct one-seat ride to New York Penn Station in about 45–55 minutes.

Westfield Public Schools rank highly and feed strong college outcomes, crime is low, and the town hosts beloved community events. Cost of living and home prices are high, but the package of downtown energy, schools, and transit justifies the premium for many families. The vibe is suburban-classic with real town-center life.

Pros:

• Midtown Direct one-seat train to NYC Penn Station
• Lively, walkable downtown with shops and dining
• Highly rated Westfield public schools
• Low crime and strong community traditions

Cons:

• High property taxes and home prices
• Downtown parking can be tight on weekends

Verdict: Westfield is the downtown-plus-commute pick — a thriving center and a direct NYC train under one roof.

5. Summit

County: Union | Median home: $1,200,000 | Best for: Executives who want the fastest premium commute and top schools

Summit sits on a ridge in Union County, a polished town of about 22,000 known for its quick, premium commute and excellent schools. The Summit NJ Transit station offers a Midtown Direct one-seat ride to New York Penn Station in roughly 40–50 minutes, and the town is a hub where the Morris & Essex and Gladstone lines meet.

The walkable downtown along Springfield Avenue has upscale shops and dining, Summit Public Schools are top-rated, and crime is very low. Cost of living and home prices are among the highest on this list, reflecting demand from finance and pharma executives. The vibe is affluent, manicured, and convenient.

Pros:

• Fast Midtown Direct commute to NYC in 40–50 minutes
• Top-rated Summit public schools
• Walkable, upscale downtown on Springfield Avenue
• Very low crime and a strong professional community

Cons:

• Median home prices exceed $1.2 million
• One of the priciest towns on this list

Verdict: Summit is the executive commuter's choice — top schools and a premium train, if the budget can handle it.

6. Chatham

County: Morris | Median home: $1,100,000 | Best for: Families chasing top-tier schools and small-town charm

Chatham — encompassing the Borough and Township — is a Morris County favorite of roughly 18,000 residents prized above all for its schools. The School District of the Chathams ranks among the very best in New Jersey, a primary reason families compete for homes here. The Chatham NJ Transit station on the Morris & Essex line offers a Midtown Direct one-seat ride to New York Penn Station in about 50 minutes.

The small, walkable Main Street downtown has shops and restaurants, crime is very low, and the town feels like a tight-knit village. Cost of living and home prices are high, driven by the school reputation. The vibe is wholesome, family-centered, and quiet.

Pros:

• School District of the Chathams ranks among NJ's best
• Midtown Direct one-seat train to Penn Station
• Walkable small-town Main Street downtown
• Very low crime and a strong sense of community

Cons:

• Home prices near or above $1.1 million
• Smaller downtown than larger towns on this list

Verdict: Chatham is the schools-first pick — a wholesome village with elite districts and a clean NYC commute.

7. Millburn-Short Hills

County: Essex | Median home: $1,500,000 | Best for: Affluent families who want the best schools and upscale shopping

The township of Millburn, which includes the Short Hills section, is one of New Jersey's most affluent addresses, with a population near 21,000 in Essex County. Millburn Public Schools are consistently ranked the best or near-best in the state, the central reason for the town's premium prices.

The Millburn and Short Hills NJ Transit stations on the Morris & Essex line offer a Midtown Direct one-seat ride to Penn Station in roughly 40–45 minutes. The upscale Mall at Short Hills and a walkable Millburn downtown anchor amenities, crime is very low, and parks like the South Mountain Reservation add green space.

The vibe is wealthy, refined, and education-obsessed.

Pros:

• Millburn schools rank among the very best in New Jersey
• Midtown Direct one-seat commute to Penn Station
• Upscale shopping at the Mall at Short Hills
• Very low crime and abundant nearby parkland

Cons:

• Median home prices around $1.5 million — the highest here
• Very high cost of living and property taxes

Verdict: Millburn-Short Hills is the prestige pick — the state's top schools and a premium commute for those who can pay.

8. Haddonfield

County: Camden | Median home: $675,000 | Best for: South Jersey families who want a historic downtown near Philadelphia

Haddonfield is South Jersey's answer to the North Jersey commuter towns, a historic Camden County borough of about 12,000 oriented toward Philadelphia rather than New York. The walkable Kings Highway downtown is a charming, dry (alcohol-free) district of boutiques and restaurants in preserved colonial-era buildings.

The PATCO Speedline station offers a quick ride into Center City Philadelphia in roughly 20–25 minutes — one of the easiest commutes on this list. Haddonfield Public Schools rank among South Jersey's best, crime is very low, and the town brims with history. Home prices are notably lower than the NYC-commuter towns, making it a relative value.

The vibe is historic, genteel, and family-friendly.

Pros:

• PATCO train reaches Center City Philadelphia in 20–25 minutes
• Charming, walkable historic Kings Highway downtown
• Top-rated schools for South Jersey
• More affordable than NYC-commuter towns

Cons:

• Oriented to Philadelphia, not New York City
• Downtown is dry (no alcohol sales)

Verdict: Haddonfield is the South Jersey gem — a historic downtown and quick Philadelphia commute at a friendlier price.

9. Maplewood

County: Essex | Median home: $750,000 | Best for: Diverse, creative families who want a walkable village and Midtown Direct**

Maplewood is a diverse, artsy Essex County township of about 25,000 that shares schools with neighboring South Orange. The walkable Maplewood Village downtown is full of independent shops, cafes, and restaurants, beloved for its community feel. The Maplewood NJ Transit station offers a Midtown Direct one-seat ride to New York Penn Station in roughly 30–40 minutes — among the faster commutes here.

The South Orange-Maplewood school district is well regarded and progressive, crime is moderate, and the town's tree-lined streets and Tudor homes draw young families and creatives priced out of pricier suburbs. The vibe is inclusive, walkable, and community-minded.

Pros:

• Midtown Direct train reaches Penn Station in 30–40 minutes
• Charming, walkable Maplewood Village downtown
• Diverse, welcoming, community-driven culture
• More attainable prices than premium suburbs

Cons:

• Property taxes run high
• School district outcomes vary across the town

Verdict: Maplewood is the value-creative pick — a walkable village and fast train for families who want character over prestige.

10. Cranford 💎 BEST VALUE

County: Union | Median home: $625,000 | Best for: Commuters who want a riverfront downtown and a one-seat NYC ride for less

Cranford delivers the New Jersey commuter dream at the friendliest price on this list. The Union County township of about 24,000 centers on a walkable downtown along the Rahway River, dubbed the "Venice of New Jersey" for its canoeing and footbridges. The Cranford NJ Transit station offers a one-seat ride toward New York with connections to Penn Station in roughly 45–55 minutes.

Cranford Public Schools are solid and well regarded, crime is low, and the riverfront downtown is full of shops and restaurants. With a median home near $625,000 — well below the million-dollar suburbs — Cranford offers the same commuter-town lifestyle for far less, the clear value story here.

The vibe is friendly, walkable, and unpretentious.

Pros:

• Median home near $625,000 — the best value on this list
• Walkable riverfront downtown along the Rahway River
• NJ Transit station with service toward NYC
• Solid schools and low crime in a friendly community

Cons:

• Commute to Penn Station may require a transfer
• Riverfront areas have faced occasional flooding

Verdict: Cranford is the value champion — a charming riverfront downtown and NYC commute for hundreds of thousands less than the premium suburbs.

Which Town Is Right for You?

What to Look For When Choosing a Town in New Jersey

• The actual commute, station to desk — A "one-seat ride" matters; confirm whether the town has Midtown Direct service like Summit, Westfield, and Chatham, or requires a transfer.
• School district rankings — New Jersey's home prices track its schools closely; Millburn, Chatham, and Princeton command premiums for a reason, so verify district outcomes.
• Property taxes, not just price — New Jersey has the nation's highest property taxes; a lower home price can carry a higher annual bill, so check the effective rate.
• Downtown walkability — The best NJ towns have real, walkable town centers; Ridgewood, Westfield, and Maplewood Village stand out.
• Value versus prestige — Towns like Cranford and Haddonfield deliver the lifestyle for far less than the million-dollar suburbs.
• Flood and infrastructure history — Some riverfront and low-lying areas have flooded; review local history before buying.

What matters less than marketing implies: trophy-town reputation and zip-code prestige. The real drivers of daily happiness are your commute time, your specific school, and your property-tax bill — not a town's name recognition.

FAQ

What is the best town to live in New Jersey? Princeton is our top pick, combining an Ivy League college town, top-rated schools, a walkable Nassau Street downtown, very low crime, and rich culture for one of the best quality-of-life packages in the state.

What is the best-value town to live in New Jersey? Cranford wins on value, offering a walkable riverfront downtown, NJ Transit service toward New York, solid schools, and low crime with a median home near $625,000 — well below the million-dollar commuter suburbs.

Which New Jersey town has the best schools? Millburn-Short Hills and Chatham consistently rank at or near the top of New Jersey's public school rankings, which is the main reason both command premium home prices.

Which New Jersey town has the fastest commute to NYC? Montclair and Maplewood offer Midtown Direct trains reaching New York Penn Station in roughly 30–45 minutes, among the quickest one-seat rides on this list.

Are New Jersey property taxes really that high? Yes — New Jersey has the highest effective property-tax rates in the nation, so two homes at the same price can carry very different annual tax bills; always check the local rate before buying.

Which New Jersey town is best for commuting to Philadelphia? Haddonfield in Camden County is the standout, with the PATCO Speedline reaching Center City Philadelphia in about 20–25 minutes, plus a charming historic downtown and top South Jersey schools.

Bottom Line

For the best all-around life in the Garden State, Princeton is our Best Overall town — an Ivy League college town with elite schools, a walkable downtown, low crime, and deep culture. The Best Value is Cranford, whose riverfront downtown, NYC-bound train, and solid schools come at a median home near $625,000, hundreds of thousands below the premium suburbs.

If your priority is the very best schools, the fastest premium commute, or a quick Philadelphia ride, use the decision tree above to route yourself to Millburn-Short Hills, Summit, or Haddonfield instead. Choose on your real commute, your specific school, and the property-tax bill — not zip-code prestige — and you will land in a town you love.

Sources

• Niche — best places to live in New Jersey
• U.S. Census Bureau — data.census.gov
• Zillow — New Jersey home values
• Realtor.com — New Jersey market data
• BestPlaces — cost of living and demographics
• GreatSchools — New Jersey school ratings
• NJ Transit — rail lines and schedules
• PATCO — Speedline to Philadelphia
• Money — best places to live
• Livability — best places to live in New Jersey

*Best towns to live in New Jersey review — where to live, rankings, home prices, schools, commute, and a review of the best places to live in NJ.*