Six New Jersey towns have been recognized among the safest and wealthiest places in the United States for 2024, according to a GOBankingRates analysis. The towns—Ridgewood, Westfield, Glen Ridge, Haddonfield, Summit, and Chatham Borough—each boast a median household income exceeding $251,210.
Ridgewood, NJ
Ranked No. 7 on the list, Ridgewood has a population of 26,043 and a median household income of $277,428. The average single-family home value in the town is $1,095,623, with an annual cost of living at $106,217. Despite high living expenses, Ridgewood’s low crime rates contribute to a livability score of 88. The violent crime rate is 0.30 per 1,000 residents, and the property crime rate is 7.63 per 1,000.
Westfield, NJ
Westfield, ranked No. 9, has 30,839 residents and a median household income of $281,738. The cost of living totals $111,730 annually, and the average home is valued at $1,182,660. Westfield has a low violent crime rate of 0.16 per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 7.61 per 1,000, with a livability score of 87.
Glen Ridge, NJ
At No. 11, Glen Ridge has the highest median household income of the six towns at $317,792. The town has 7,797 residents and an average home value of $1,162,668. Its annual cost of living is $110,868. Glen Ridge has a violent crime rate of 0.52 per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 13.91 per 1,000. The town’s livability score is 88.
Haddonfield, NJ
Haddonfield, ranked No. 12, is located in South Jersey and has a population of 12,456. The median household income is $264,817, with an average home value of $763,106. It has the lowest cost of living among the six towns at $78,361 annually. Haddonfield’s violent crime rate is 0.32 per 1,000 residents, and the property crime rate is 12.11 per 1,000. Its livability score is 86.
Summit, NJ
Summit, ranked No. 13, has a population of 22,555 and a median household income of $291,509. The town has the highest cost of living among the six towns at $120,134 annually, with an average home value of $1,310,834. Summit’s violent crime rate is 0.31 per 1,000 residents, and the property crime rate is 8.92 per 1,000. The town has a livability score of 84.
Chatham Borough, NJ
Chatham ranks No. 14, with a population of 9,199 and a median household income of $307,559. The town’s average home value is $1,260,189, and the annual cost of living is $117,603. Chatham boasts the lowest violent crime rate among the six towns, at 0.11 per 1,000 residents, and a property crime rate of 7.20 per 1,000. Its livability score is 81.
The study by GOBankingRates used various data points, including average household income, population, cost of living indexes, and crime rates, to determine the rankings. New Jersey’s performance on the list further emphasizes the state’s reputation for safety and prosperity.
