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Best Places to Live in New Jersey (2026)

New Jersey has a cost of living index of 128 (US average = 100) with a median household income of $115,589 and a population of 6,078,332. We ranked 15 cities based on affordability, income, housing value, and climate to find the best places to call home in New Jersey.

Data current as of . Sources: US Census Bureau, Zillow, HUD, NOAA.
113
Cost Index

Hopatcong is 13% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $114,057 and a population of 14,470.

$114,057
Median Income
$1,563/mo
Median Rent
$318,600
Home Value
14,470
Population
114
Cost Index

Oak Ridge is 14% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $118,718 and a population of 10,860.

$118,718
Median Income
$1,320/mo
Median Rent
$417,300
Home Value
10,860
Population
11 Oakland
130
Cost Index

Oakland is 30% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $162,862 and a population of 12,700.

$162,862
Median Income
$1,462/mo
Median Rent
$567,200
Home Value
12,700
Population
87
Cost Index

Vineland is 13% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $65,854 and a population of 60,692.

$65,854
Median Income
$1,207/mo
Median Rent
$218,200
Home Value
60,692
Population
88
Cost Index

Bellmawr is 12% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $74,812 and a population of 11,678.

$74,812
Median Income
$1,141/mo
Median Rent
$216,500
Home Value
11,678
Population

How We Rank the Best Places to Live

Our livability score combines four data-driven factors: affordability (35% — cost of living index relative to national average), income (25% — median household income from the Census Bureau), housing value (15% — home price to income ratio), and climate (15% — NOAA temperature normals favoring moderate climates). Population serves as a proxy for amenities (10%).

Only cities with at least 5,000–10,000 residents are included. Data sourced from the US Census Bureau, Zillow, HUD, and NOAA.