Seven New Jersey towns have been recognized among the safest and wealthiest places in the United States for 2025, according to a GOBankingRates analysis. The report factored in income, housing, cost of living, and crime, drawing on data from the U.S. Census, Zillow, and the FBI. Researchers reviewed more than 1,000 cities before narrowing the list to 50.
Metuchen, NJ
Ranked No. 50, Metuchen has a mean household income of $190,858. The average home value is $712,725, with an annual cost of living at $78,779. The town records a property crime rate of 12.327 per 1,000 residents and a violent crime rate of 0.400.
Summit, NJ
Summit ranked No. 31 with a mean household income of $304,408. The average home value stands at $1,368,214, while annual living costs total $124,152. Property crime sits at 8.216 per 1,000 residents, with a violent crime rate of 0.494.
Glen Ridge, NJ
At No. 23, Glen Ridge reports the highest mean income among New Jersey towns at $300,489. Single-family homes average $1,165,641 in value, with an annual cost of living of $111,066. The property crime rate is 17.652 per 1,000, and the violent crime rate is 0.370.
Haddonfield, NJ
Ranked No. 22, Haddonfield shows a mean household income of $279,257. Homes average $832,771, with the cost of living at $83,587 annually. Property crime stands at 13.310 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime is 0.239.
Madison, NJ
Madison ranked No. 21 with a mean household income of $247,235. Homes average $1,047,592, and the cost of living reaches $102,035 each year. The property crime rate is 4.807 per 1,000, and violent crime is 0.125—the lowest among the New Jersey towns listed.
Westfield, NJ
At No. 13, Westfield reports a mean household income of $297,367. The average home value is $1,263,623, and the annual cost of living totals $117,378. Property crime is 8.662 per 1,000 residents, while violent crime is 0.164.
Ridgewood, NJ
Ridgewood ranked No. 11, the highest among New Jersey towns. The mean household income is $288,861, and the average home value is $1,182,764. The cost of living stands at $112,398 annually. The property crime rate is 6.252 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime is 0.379.
The rankings, updated Aug. 4, reflect 2025 housing, income, and crime trends across the country.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.