From Suburbs to Shore: 14 Amazing Places to Call Home in New Jersey
It was a rough time for New Jersey in the latest "Best Places To Live in America" list from U.S. News and World Report rankings for 2025-26. According to Patch, "New Jersey received no love for 2025-2026, not one spot out of the 250 sites ranked around the nation."
New Jersey's first spot on the "Best Places To Live In America" list comes in at #431 so not a great showing nationally, but we do have the Top 14 "Best Places To Live in New Jersey" and wanted to share that impressive list with you.
Maybe you're a first-time homebuyer or maybe thinking of moving, whatever the case, these 14 towns are worth looking at right here in the Garden State.
The Final List: 14 Top Places to Live in New Jersey
- Clifton, NJ
- Vineland, NJ
- Jersey City, NJ
- Bayonne, NJ
- Elizabeth, NJ
- Passaic, NJ
- Union City, NJ
- New Brunswick, NJ
- East Orange, NJ
- Paterson, NJ
- Newark, NJ
- Trenton, NJ
- Camden, NJ
- Atlantic City, NJ
What Makes These NJ Towns Stand Out (Methodology)
- Quality of Life Index – 26%
- Value Index – 25%
- Desirability Index – 24%
- Job Market Index – 23%
- Net Migration – 2%
I must be honest. In my humble opinion, I don't agree with this list of "Best Places to Live in New Jersey." Several towns/cities in the Top 14 would not be on my list.
Hidden Gems: Underrated Places Locals Swear By
According to Patch, "While New Jerseyians have always took the butt of the joke and being the underdog with pride in stride, the World Report did not leave the people empty-handed. Each state also got its own rankings, with Clifton bringing home our crown."
How do you feel about this list from U.S. News and World Report? What towns would you add and which towns would you remove? Let us know what you think, we love getting your input.
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