Last updated 2026-06-15 ยท MovePlan Editorial Team
Top schools, easy NYC and Philly access, the shore, and walkable downtowns statewide.
1. Hoboken: Best for young professionals
2. Jersey City: Best for value near NYC
3. Princeton: Best for families
4. Montclair: Best in-town suburb
5. Edison: Best for value and diversity
6. Morristown: Best historic downtown
7. Cherry Hill: Best for Philly access
8. Ridgewood: Best Bergen County suburb
9. Asbury Park: Best shore town
New Jersey packs a lot into a small state: some of the best public schools in the country, access to two of the biggest job markets in America, the Jersey Shore, and walkable historic downtowns. Property taxes are high, but so is the quality of life. Here are the 9 best places to live in New Jersey, ranked.