14 Best Places To Buy A House In New Jersey

Heather Robbins
by Heather Robbins

A home with a waterfront view sounds magical—something right out of a movie. New homeowners are not looking for older homes within the city; they yearn for solitude. This attracted investors to the New Jersey area when land became available in early 2017. If you are looking for some of the best places to purchase property in the state of New Jersey, the best places are mapped out for you right here.

The best places to buy a home in New Jersey include Springdale, Morris Plains, Robbinsville, Princeton Junction, and Englewood Cliffs. Each of these suburbs has a livability rating ranging from 79 to 85. They have an up-and-coming population, along with a lower crime rate compared to nearby cities. Other areas include Beckett, Oceanport, Belmar, and Somerdale.

This article will guide you through the best places to buy a house in New Jersey. We’ll discuss the local amenities that residents of that particular area experience and the best criteria to use when determining the best place to buy a house overall. Let’s get started!

Is New Jersey Expensive?

New Jersey’s real estate has been considered inexpensive in the past; this may be why the state has been placed at the top of the list in the United States for the number of millionaire residents it has. This has made the area more appealing, and developers have started building residential and skyscrapers to accommodate the need for more offices and homes.

Because the state is growing, real estate prices have increased with the development. Regardless of rising prices, there are still many good intentions when purchasing a new home in New Jersey. If cost is a major factor, you may want to refer to 13 Cheapest Places To Live In New Jersey.

How To Determine The Best Place To Live In New Jersey

When determining the best place to live, a few factors should be considered:

  • Change in population
  • Rising Real Estate prices
  • Demand for housing
  • National average of pricing

All these factors affect each other, so they should be evaluated together. If real estate prices are twenty percent lower than the national average, there is a chance they will steadily keep declining. This means the area is not going to develop, investments will fall, and jobs will be reduced.

9 Best Places To Purchase A Home In New Jersey

Below, we’ve compiled the nine best places to purchase a house in New Jersey. Furthermore, we’ve included the median house price, as well as the residential rating of each.

New Jersey is a relatively expensive state, and for a good reason! We kept cost in mind and area amenities when creating this list for you.

1. Springdale

Photo Credit: Realtor
  • Population: 13,955
  • Median Home Cost: $344,500
  • Total Crime (per 100k): 757
  • Livability Rating: 85/100

Springdale is a Philadelphia suburb with a population of 13,955 people. This suburb is located in Camden County and is considered to be one of the best places to live in New Jersey.

The total crime rate is on the higher end, at 757 per 100,000 people. These crimes include both property and violent crimes alike. This factor mixed with the population and the median home cost of $344,500, sets the livability rating at 85 out of 100 for Springdale.

Living in Springdale provides residents with a sparse suburban feel, and the majority of residents own their homes. Springdale is home to a large number of retirees, and residents tend to hold moderate political views. Springdale’s public schools are highly rated.

2. Morris Plains

  • Population: 5,612
  • Median Home Cost: $474,900
  • Total Crime (per 100k): 947
  • Livability Rating: 82/100

In Morris Plains, you can find many restaurants, parks, and coffee shops with a public school system that is considered highly rated. This is a great suburban area of New York City within Morris County of New Jersey, with a population of 5,612 people who lean toward conservative views.

Average home prices sit right around $474,800, and most of the residents in Morris Plains own their own homes for their families or retirement. The total crime rate is 947 per 100,000 people. Taking all of these statistics into consideration, the livability rating for Morris Plains is 82 out of 100.

3. Robbinsville

Photo Credit: Realtor
  • Population: 3,321
  • Median Home Cost: $404,000
  • Total Crime (per 100k): 437
  • Livability Rating: 80/100

Robbinsville has a population of 3,321 people. This area is located in Mercer County and is one of the many great places to buy a home in New Jersey.

Living in Robbinsville provides residents with an urban-suburban mix, and the majority of residents own their homes. This is a town with a lot of families and people who have moderate political views.

The total crime rate for this suburb is 437 per 100,000 people and includes both violent and property crimes alike. You can purchase a home for $404,000. With all of these statistics combined, the livability score for Robbinsville is 80 out of 100.

4. Princeton Junction

Photo Credit: Realtor
  • Population: 2,503
  • Median Home Cost: $524,500
  • Total Crime (per 100k): 212
  • Livability Rating: 80/100

Princeton Junction has a population of 2,503 people. It is located in Mercer County and is considered to be one of the best places to live in New Jersey.

The homes in this suburb cost about $524,500 on average, while the crime rate is on the low side, coming in at just 212 total reports per 100,000 people. Taking this into consideration, along with the up-and-coming population and housing costs, the livability rating is 80 out of 100.

Princeton Junction provides residents with a dense suburban feel, and the majority of residents own their homes. There are numerous parks in the neighborhood. This area is a family-friendly neighborhood with moderate political views.

5. Englewood Cliffs

  • Population: 5,405
  • Median Home Cost: $984,700
  • Total Crime (per 100k): 897
  • Livability Rating: 79/100

Englewood Cliffs is located in Bergen County, which is considered part of New York City’s suburbs. It is regarded as the absolute best place to live in New Jersey. It maintains a rural feel for its homeowners. There are a lot of restaurants and parks, as well as a highly rated public school system.

This beautiful suburb has approximately 5,405 people, most of whom are retired and have moderate political views. Regardless of the average home value being $984,700, residents rate this as the best place to purchase a home.

This neighborhood has a crime rate of 897 per 100,000 people. These crimes include both property and violent crimes. Due to the low crime rate, as well as the growing population and high purchase prices for homes, the livability for Englewood Cliffs rates 79 out of 100.

6. Beckett

Photo Credit: Realtor
  • Population: 4,792
  • Median Home Cost: $213,600
  • Total Crime (per 100k): 982
  • Livability Rating: 79/100

Beckett is a Philadelphia suburb with a population of 4,792 people. It is located in Gloucester County and is considered to be a great place to buy a home and raise a family in New Jersey.

The total crime rate for the area is relatively high, at 982 incidents per 100,000 people. This includes both property and violent crimes. This statistic, mixed with the population and the median home cost of $213,600 set the livability rating at 79 out of 100.

Beckett provides residents with a suburban rural mix feel, and the majority of residents own their homes. It is home to a large number of young professionals, and residents tend to hold moderate political views.

7. Monmouth Junction

Photo Credit: Bright MLS Homes
  • Population: 3,199
  • Median Home Cost: $373,500
  • Total Crime (per 100k): 553
  • Livability Rating: 78/100

Monmouth Junction is a New York City suburb with a population of 3,199 people. It is located in Middlesex County and is considered to be one of the best places to buy a home in the state.

The total crime is a little higher than in other areas at 553 per 100,000 peope, but it doesn’t risk safety of the residents. The homes cost about $373,500 on average to purchase. Taking into consideration the crime, along with the population and home prices, the livability rating is 78 out of 100.

Living in Monmouth Junction provides residents with a suburban rural mix, and the majority of residents own their homes. This area is a family-oriented community with a liberal-leaning.

8. Manasquan

  • Population: 5,812
  • Median Home Cost: $627,200
  • Total Crime (per 100k): 1,449
  • Livability Rating: 77/100

Another suburb of New York City, Manasquan, offers much potential to a real estate investment of New Jersey. Found in Monmouth County with a population of 5,812, Manasquan provides its residents with highly-rated public schools and standard real estate pricing of approximately $627,200.

The total crime rate is 1,449. These crimes include both violent and property-based crimes. Taking this into consideration, as well as the high home cost and growing population, the livability rating is 77 out of 100.

Manasquan appeals to young professionals with its bars and coffee shops and provides residents with a sparse suburban feel for retirees. Its residents are more on the conservative side of the political spectrum and consider this town to be one of the best places to live.

9. Oceanport

  • Population: 5,763
  • Median Home Cost: $447,700
  • Total Crime (per 100k): 999
  • Livability Rating: 76/100

Many young professionals make up the 5,763 residents of Oceanport. Its residents tend to have conservative opinions. This beautiful township offers a lot of parks for its residents and has highly rated public schools.

This city is found in Monmouth County of New Jersey and is another suburb of New York City that is a great place to live. You can expect to pay around $500,000 to buy a house here; however, the price slightly differs depending on the area of the town you decide to buy in.

The total crime for this area is 999, which is slightly higher than others, but safety is still not a concern. Taking the crime into consideration, along with the population ad housing costs, this neighborhood rates 76 out of 100 for livability.

10. Union Beach

  • Population: 5,770
  • Median Home Cost: $254,100
  • Total Crime (per 100k): 192
  • Livability Rating: 76/100

Union beach offers an excellent place for families. The public school system is above average, and the affordability of the average home costs $254,100. This rural gem is found in Monmouth County of New Jersey and has a population of 5,770 people that lean toward conservative views. It is also considered a suburb of New York City.

Total crime is very low, at 192 per 100,000 people. These crimes include both violent and property based crimes. Taking the crime into consideration, along with the affordable home prices and growing population, this area rates 76 out of 100 for livability.

11. Mount Arlington

  • Population: 5,251
  • Median Home Cost: $289,300
  • Total Crime (per 100k): 606
  • Livability Rating: 74/100

Mount Arlington is also found in Morris County of New Jersey, with a population of 5,251 residents. The school system is highly rated as well. The average cost for a home is $289,300, making this a more affordable suburban area than its neighboring community. Many retirees that own their own home live in Mount Arlington.

The total crime rate for Mount Arlington is relatively low, sitting at 606 out of 100,000 people. The crime, along with the growing population and low housing costs, put this neighborhood at 74 out of 100 for its livability rating.

Even with the relatively low price in the area for housing, the crime rate is still one of the lowest in the state. So, you’re not sacrificing safety for affordability in Mount Arlington.

12. Belmar

  • Population: 5,715
  • Median Home Cost: $568,900
  • Total Crime (per 100k): 1,690
  • Livability Rating: 68/100

Belmar is a booming town with renovations and reconstruction. The reason for this is the sought-out location of being along the beach, but the average real estate cost is around $568,900. It has a mile of boardwalk equipped with new swings, a 147-slip marina along the Shark River, and boating on the 2,500-foot-long Silver Lake.

With an average population similar to Morris Plains, this vibrant beach town can have up to 60,000 people on a hot summer weekend. This city is within walking distance of New York and Philadelphia, making this an optimal place to settle down and work from home.

The total crime for this area is 1,690 per capita, making the livability rating slightly lower as it does have a higher amount of violent crime. However, the violence is typically not random, so it’s not a risk to your safety. Belmar’s livability rating is 68 out of 100.

13. Somerdale

  • Population: 5,362
  • Median Home Cost: $161,600
  • Total Crime (per 100k): 4,645
  • Livability Rating: 63/100

Somerdale is in Camden County of New Jersey and is considered a suburb of Philadelphia. It has a population of 5,362, and the residents lean toward liberal views. The average home costs approximately $161,600.

The total crime is quite a bit higher, sitting at 4,645 per 100,000 people. This statistic, combined with a lower population and low housing costs, makes the livability for Somerdale 63 out of 100.

Living in Somerdale offers a lot of bars and restaurants for the young professionals that live there. The public schools are above average, and residents own their own homes. Thus, making this an excellent place to live in New Jersey.

14. Wildwood

  • Population: 5,192
  • Median Home Cost: $225,400
  • Total Crime (per 100k): 7,437
  • Livability Rating: 53/100

Wildwood is a city that lives up to its name. Being along the beach provides a boardwalk and is a big tourist spot for the resort ambiance it gives. The tourist season brings in over 240,000 visitors, adding to its population of approximately 7,000 people.

This New Jersey neighborhood has a doo-wop era architecture and provides a diverse environment. The average home costs around $225,400, which for anyone can offer a beautiful experience.

The total crime is relatively high at 7,437 per capita. Keep in mind that this crime rate is among a population of 5,192. However, people still recommend this area as it has a lot of unique amenities. The livability rating is 53 out of 100.

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Heather Robbins
Heather Robbins

Heather is a passionate writer who loves anything DIY. Growing up, she learned everything from home repairs to design, and wants to share her tips with you. When she's not writing, she's usually hiking or searching for her next DIY project.

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