New Jersey Communities Dominate National Livability Rankings
New Jersey has secured a prominent position in the 2025 national rankings of desirable places to live, with five communities ranking among America’s top 100 and an impressive 16 towns recognized as premier locations for raising families. The annual assessment by data analytics platform Niche underscores the Garden State’s continued appeal despite its reputation for high property taxes and cost of living.
According to Patch, Bergen County dominated the best places to live rankings with three communities in the national top 100. These rankings, now in their 11th year, have become an influential resource for everyone from young professionals to retirees making relocation decisions.
Top-Ranked New Jersey Communities
Leading New Jersey’s presence on the best places to live list is Ho-Ho-Kus, securing the 34th position nationally. The Bergen County community earned an A+ overall grade, with particular recognition for its exceptional public schools and family-friendly environment. Reviewers highlighted its unique ability to offer a rural atmosphere while maintaining proximity to New York City.
Princeton followed closely at 35th place, also earning an A+ rating. The historic university town received praise for its vibrant commercial district with abundant restaurants and coffee shops, appealing parks, and strong public schools. Niche identified Princeton as particularly suitable for both young professionals and families.
Ridgewood (65th), River Edge (71st), and Princeton Junction (79th) rounded out New Jersey’s representation in the top 100. All three communities received A+ overall grades, with Ridgewood and River Edge continuing Bergen County’s strong showing in the rankings.
TOP TOWNS: Sixteen NJ towns made the Top 100 best places to raise a family in the U.S. Did yours make the list? Click the 🔗 to find out!#News12 #NewJersey #Community #Report #LocalNews #Newshttps://t.co/Qx4Nsx1Nvt pic.twitter.com/s61sNmBe23
— News12NJ (@News12NJ) March 25, 2025
Family-Oriented Excellence
In a separate but related ranking focused specifically on ideal locations for raising families, New Jersey demonstrated even more impressive results. The New Jersey Digest reports that 16 Garden State communities placed in the national top 100, with Haworth and Mountain Lakes achieving remarkable standings at 5th and 7th, respectively.
This concentration of family-friendly communities significantly outperforms New Jersey’s population proportion relative to the national total. While the state represents approximately 2.7% of the U.S. population, it claimed 16% of the top family-raising locations, suggesting particular strengths in factors most valued by families.
New Jersey is erasing the middle class, our has one of the highest medians of living for any state that borders us by a long shot
— Wake Up NJ 🇺🇸 New Jersey (@wakeupnj) March 23, 2025
This state is unaffordable, something has to change here. They folks in charge are thieving your bank accountshttps://t.co/CFQFim0N0I https://t.co/4l8OddJpqd pic.twitter.com/KKAShIdVrc
Methodology and Significance
Niche’s rankings synthesize data from multiple authoritative sources including the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This quantitative analysis is complemented by qualitative input from millions of resident reviews, creating a comprehensive assessment of community livability.
Key metrics in the evaluation include housing market health, neighborhood diversity, public school quality, walkability, crime rates, and access to amenities. For the family-specific rankings, additional weight is given to factors like childcare availability, educational resources, and youth recreation opportunities.
Regional Patterns
The strong performance of Bergen County communities reflects broader regional patterns in the rankings. Proximity to major employment centers while maintaining distinctive community character appears particularly valuable in the post-pandemic era when many professionals split time between remote and office work.
Northern New Jersey’s continued appearance in these rankings comes despite the region’s well-documented affordability challenges. The median home value in Ho-Ho-Kus exceeds $1 million, while even River Edge, the most affordable of the top-ranked communities, has a median home value significantly above the national average.
Context and Competition
New Jersey’s achievements are particularly notable given the national competition. The overall top five nationwide spots went to Colonial Village (Virginia), Atlantic Station (Georgia), Chesterbrook (Pennsylvania), Harbour Island (Florida), and City Center (California). Chesterbrook also secured the number one position in the family-focused rankings.
Real estate analysts note that these rankings can significantly influence property values and community development priorities. Communities that consistently rank well often experience increased demand, which can simultaneously enhance tax bases while potentially exacerbating affordability concerns for middle-income families.
As remote work flexibility continues to reshape residential preferences, these rankings serve as a valuable barometer of shifting priorities in the American housing market and highlight New Jersey’s enduring appeal despite regional economic challenges.
