The 10 Safest New Jersey Neighborhoods Close To NYC

New York City is among the greatest cities in the United States, but it can be an expensive hassle to live there. Luckily, there are several neighborhoods in New Jersey that offer a safer, more affordable alternative to living in NYC. So, what are the safest New Jersey neighborhoods close to NYC?

The safest New Jersey neighborhoods close to NYC include Hoboken, Seacaucus, Jersey City, and Weekawken Township. Areas such as Harrison, Bayonne, Guttenberg, and Kearny are all close to NYC and have low crime rates. Union City and North Bergen Township are also among the safest New Jersey neighborhoods close to NYC.

Each of these neighborhoods is a reasonable drive to NYC and is perfect for commuters. This guide uses recent crime statistics and FBI data to determine the safest neighborhoods. Follow along as we explore the safest New Jersey neighborhoods close to NYC.

It only takes 35 minutes to drive from Hoboken to New York City, and it’s the safest area on the New Jersey side. There are currently 53,193 residents in Hoboken, New Jersey, and both violent and property crimes are rare. Violent crimes only affect 1 in 915 Hoboken residents, and property crimes affect 1 in 77.

There has only been 1 murder in Hoboken’s recent history, and other violent crimes such as assault are below the national average. Hoboken is close enough to NYC that you won’t need a car, which equals more savings. The median Hoboken home value is $720,000 and the median rent is $2,315.

Hoboken was named the #1 Best Place for Young Professionals in New Jersey by Niche. Consider Hoboken if you want to live near NYC without having to sacrifice safety.

Secaucus is only 7.6 miles from NYC, and this quiet city gives you the best of both worlds on the New Jersey side. Violent and property crime rates are below the national average in Secaucus, and this city is much safer than NYC. For example, property crimes affect 1 in 50 NYC residents, whereas property crime only affects 1 in 444 Secaucus residents.

Secaucus is close enough to NYC that residents can easily commute, and far enough to avoid some of the hectic traffic. While most residents of Secaucus are between the ages of 25 and 65+, the public school system has excellent ratings.

Secaucus is a shopper’s paradise, having the Secaucus Plaza downtown, the Mill Creek Mall, the Harmon Meadow Plaza, and plenty of shops in between. The median home value is $565,530 and rent averages $2,100, which makes it one of the most affordable and safest New Jersey neighborhoods close to NYC.

Weekawken Township boasts a population of 14,864. Weekawken Township is only 6.5 miles from NYC, and it only takes about 28 minutes to get into the city.

With a median rent price of $3,020, it’s no wonder Weekawken Township is listed as the #4 Best Suburbs for Young Professionals in New Jersey. Seventy percent of the residents of Weekawken Township rent, as the median home value is $894,489.

In 2020, the FBI reported 23 violent crimes, 0 murders, 0 rapes, 24 burglaries, and 223 property crimes for Weekawken Township.

Of the 65,099 residents of Bayonne, the average age is 37.8. Bayonne is a family-friendly neighborhood of which almost half (48%) of the residents have children. But, you can still get into NYC pretty quickly, since Bayonne is only 10 miles away.

One of the most stunning landmarks in Bayonne is the Tear Drop Memorial. The 10-story monument, a gift from the Russian government, consists of two brick walls with a single silver teardrop in the middle.

In 2020, the FBI reported 114 violent crimes, 0 murders, 12 rapes, 97 burglaries, and 773 property crimes for Bayonne.

The Guttenberg population has been slowly growing since 2000 to its current number of 11,317 residents. Guttenberg is the heart of the section of Hudson County known as the Havana of the Hudson due to its large Cuban population.

To revitalize Guttenberg, sections became part of the Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ). This not only encourages employment and investment, but means a reduced 2.2125% sales tax rate as compared to the rest of the state.

At 8.3 miles away from NYC, a commute from Guttenberg will take you about 35 minutes. In 2020, the FBI reported 28 violent crimes, 1 murder, 5 rapes, 20 burglaries, and 99 property crimes for Guttenberg.

Kearny, named after Civil War general Phillip Kearny, was formed as a township in 1867. But the city has colonial roots dating back to 1668. It only takes 32 minutes to get from Kearny, NJ to NYC making it the perfect neighborhood for commuters.

The median home value in Kearny is $451,021 while the median rent is $2,315. Sections of Kearny are also part of the UEZ and enjoy the same reduction in sales tax as Guttenberg. Crime rates are below the national average in Kearny, NJ, and property crime only affects 1 in 89 residents.

In 2020, the FBI reported 38 violent crimes, 0 murders, 1 rape, 61 burglaries, and 667 property crimes for Kearny.

Located in the northern part of Hudson County, Union City has a population of 68,226. It is ranked #74 of the Best Suburbs for Young Professionals in New Jersey. Property crime is rare in Union City and violence only affects 1 in 336 residents.

Union City has plenty of sports, performing arts, carnivals, and great schools for children. Most restaurants close around 10 pm, so if you are looking for a later night, you may have to take the 7.5 miles (34 minutes) drive into NYC.

In 2020, the FBI reported 223 violent crimes, 2 murders, 0 rapes, 95 burglaries, and 1,078 property crimes for Union City.

North Bergen Township is located in the Hudson Palisades, a series of steep cliffs along the Hudson River. At only 5.57 square miles, but with a population of 61,627, North Bergen Township has one of the highest population densities of any town in the U.S.

North Bergen Township has a large Hispanic population with 68.4% making up more than half of the residents.

In 2020, the FBI reported 38 violent crimes, 0 murders, 1 rape, 61 burglaries, and 667 property crimes for North Bergen Township.

Related Questions

Which NJ neighborhoods should I avoid?

While every neighborhood has its own value, there are areas of New Jersey to avoid due to escalating crime. Elizabeth, Linden, Bergen-Lafayette, Journal Square, and Lincoln Park all have high crime rates.

How much do I need to earn to afford to live in New Jersey?

To live in a lower-crime New Jersey neighborhood within a decent drive of NYC, you should make between $88,000 and $110,000 a year.