15 Safest Cities in New Jersey [2023 Data]

There’s a lot to love about New Jersey. Beaches, boardwalks, Bruce Springsteen — what more could you ask for? 

What about a safe place to move with your family? Keep reading to see how we evaluated the 100 most populous cities in the Garden State on nine different factors to help you choose one of the best cities in Jersey to make your home.

Methodology disclaimer: We've included indirect factors like poverty rates to broaden our scale. However, these factors are weighted less than crime rates because poverty rates and income alone don’t determine whether or not a city is safe. We break down how each element was weighted in our methodology section.

1. Randolph Township

County: Morris

Population: 26,497

Violent Crime Rate: 34 per 100,000

FEMA Score: 90.71

New Jersey may be known for its seaside coast, but Randolph Township is a great choice for those who prefer life by the lake. Randolph Park is a local favorite for swimming in the summer. There’s no shortage of activities when the temperature drops, either. James Andres Memorial County Park is open for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing all winter long.

Randolph Township takes first prize as the safest city in New Jersey. The city itself has the second lowest violent crime and seventh lowest nonviolent crime rate of the cities we studied, along with the eighth lowest FEMA index. 

Check out homes in Randolph Township to live out your lakefront dreams.

2. Mount Olive Township

County: Morris

Population: 28,977

Violent Crime Rate: 76 per 100,000

FEMA Score: 90.71

Mount Olive Township is a town located in north Jersey where you can enjoy access to many state parks, including Budd Lake at the center of town. You can also practice your swing at Flanders Valley Golf Course, which boasts two 18-hole courses that will have you near pro in no time.

Mount Olive Township is located in Morris County, which has the lowest violent and nonviolent crime rates of the places we studied. Mount Olive itself has the 10th lowest violent crime rate, sixth lowest nonviolent crime rate, and 18th lowest population density. 

Check out homes in Mount Olive Township to settle down in the second safest New Jersey town.

3. Bernards Township

County: Somerset

Population: 27,896

Violent Crime Rate: 32 per 100,000

FEMA Score: 93.41

Bernards Township is a town about half an hour north of Edison, New Jersey. It contains multiple top-rated golf courses like the New Jersey National Golf Club and Basking Ridge Country Club, making Bernards the perfect place if you’re ready to retire in a quieter area of New Jersey. It's also home to the Lyons VA Medical Center, making it a veteran-friendly town.

Bernards Township has the lowest violent crime rate and third lowest nonviolent crime rate of the cities we studied. However, the cost of living is nearly 50% above average, and it ranks 48th on the FEMA risk index.

Check out homes in Bernards Township if you want to move to the third safest place in New Jersey.

4. Rockaway Township

County: Morris

Population: 26,036

Violent Crime Rate: 61 per 100,000

FEMA Score: 90.71

Rockaway Township is the perfect place for any explorer looking to make a home in northern Jersey. There are several parks within the township and the surrounding areas, including Farney State Park and Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area, where you can find hikes for all skill levels and some top-notch bird-watching opportunities. When you want to practice your angling skills, there are plenty of lakes, ponds, and reservoirs to choose from.

Rockaway Township is the fourth safest city in New Jersey — it has the fifth lowest violent crime rate, eighth lowest FEMA index risk, and seventh lowest population density. 

Check out homes in Rockaway Township when you want to slow down and find a relaxing place to make your own.

5. South Brunswick Township

County: Middlesex

Population: 46,702

Violent Crime Rate: 36 per 100,000

FEMA Score: 95.86

South Brunswick Township is the place to go if you want a little bit of everything the Garden State has to offer. It’s less than an hour from the beach and has its own lakes to enjoy, though swimming isn’t allowed. It’s also just half an hour away from Trenton and just over an hour from New York City.

South Brunswick has the fifth lowest violent crime rate. Middlesex County as a whole also has the eighth lowest FEMA score and the lowest violent and nonviolent county crime rates, making South Brunswick the fifth safest city in New Jersey

Check out homes in South Brunswick Township when you’re looking for your New Jersey home.

6. Parsippany-Troy Hills Township

County: Morris

Population: 56,163

Violent Crime Rate: 103 per 100,000

FEMA Score: 90.71

Parsippany-Troy Hills, or just Parsippany to locals, is a New Jersey town located less than an hour west from New York City. The town has 31 parks, so there’s no shortage of dog parks, hiking, and other recreational activities. At Lake Parsippany, you can enjoy waterfront activities like swimming, boating, and fishing. Looking to make some friends in your new city? There are several community clubs that meet by the lake, ranging from fishing clubs to book clubs.

Parsippany earns the sixth spot on our list, with the 11th lowest nonviolent crime rate and eighth lowest county FEMA score. It’s fairly average when it comes to our secondary safety factors such as cost of living and population density. 

Check out homes in Parsippany to join one of the safest communities in Jersey.

7. Monroe Township

County: Middlesex

Population: 48,420

Violent Crime Rate: 244 per 100,000

FEMA Score: 95.86

Monroe Township is just south of East Brunswick and a 40-minute drive to the beach. Monroe offers the perfect suburban atmosphere for families and retirees alike. There are many adult communities, such as Rossmoor and Clearbrook, and the area is known for its quality public schools.

This town has the fourth lowest violent crime and second lowest nonviolent crime rate on our list, and the ninth lowest poverty rate. These factors, along with the great schools, make Monroe Township the seventh safest town in New Jersey.

Check out homes in Monroe Township for an ideal place to move your family.

8. Hillsborough Township

County: Somerset

Population: 43,228

Violent Crime Rate: 116 per 100,000

FEMA Score: 93.41

Hillsborough Township is a town in Somerset County where you can enjoy the mountainous natural beauty of Jersey while still being less than an hour from the beach. Within Hillsborough Township you’ll find Sourland Mountain Preserve, with 6,300 acres to explore by hiking, mountain biking, bouldering, and horseback riding.

Hillsborough Township’s location in Somerset County means the county violent and nonviolent crime rates are the fifth lowest on our list. Hillsborough Township also has the third lowest poverty rate, making it eighth on our list overall. Hillsborough has a draw for anyone interested in moving to Jersey, whether you’re there for the scenic hiking or one-hour commute to New York City.

Check out homes in Hillsborough Township for a hometown that has it all.

9. Middletown Township

County: Monmouth

Population: 66,807

Violent Crime Rate: 73 per 100,000

FEMA Score: 96.44

If you want to live that waterfront life year-round, Middletown Township is a top choice in New Jersey. It borders both Sandy Hook Bay and the Navesink River, so it's the perfect place to enjoy water sports, beach walks, or swimming. The Belford Ferry is located within Middletown Township, allowing residents to commute to New York City in under an hour.

Middletown Township has the eighth lowest violent crime rate and 18th lowest nonviolent crime rate on our list. Additionally, it has the lowest cost of living of our top 15 cities, although it’s still 9.1% more expensive than the rest of the country.

Check out homes in Middletown Township for when it’s beach or bust.

10. Bridgewater Township

County: Somerset

Population: 46,318

Violent Crime Rate: 114 per 100,000

FEMA Score: 93.41

Bridgewater Township is in Somerset County located about halfway between Newark and Trenton. It’s a very family-friendly area, with many activities to keep even the most energetic kids occupied. Explore Kidstreet Playground or catch a minor league baseball game at TD Bank Ballpark.

Bridgewater Township comes in 20th for both its violent and nonviolent crime rates. The low county crime rates, high median income, and lower poverty rates are what makes Bridgewater Township the 10th safest place in New Jersey. 

Check out homes in Bridgewater Township for a life full of family fun.

11. Westfield

County: Union

Population: 30,539

Violent Crime Rate: 62 per 100,000

FEMA Score: 92.43

Westfield is about one hour south of Newark in Union County. Though the town is relatively small, it features a walkable downtown area with local restaurants and boutiques, golfing opportunities at Echo Lake, and a train line that brings you to New York City in under an hour.

Westfield has the sixth lowest violent crime rate on our list, though nonviolent crimes are a bit more common. It also has the lowest poverty rate but highest cost of living of the cities we studied. Overall, Westfield is the 11th safest city on our list.

Check out homes in Westfield to see one of the most popular places to live in Jersey.

12. Jackson Township

County: Ocean

Population: 60,207

Violent Crime Rate: 95 per 100,000

FEMA Score: 97.23

Jackson Township is best known for being home to Six Flags Great Adventure and the tallest roller coaster in the world, but there’s more than meets the eye. There’s always something to do, whether you’re a true thrill-seeker or your preferred adventure is a book on the beach (just half an hour away!).

Jackson Township is the 12th safest city in the Garden State, ranking 16th for violent crime and fifth for nonviolent crime rates. 

Check out homes for sale in Jackson Township today to start your adventure of living in Jersey.

13. Manalapan Township

County: Monmouth

Population: 40,661

Violent Crime Rate: 79 per 100,000

FEMA Score: 96.44

Manalapan Township has a deep history as the site of the Battle of Monmouth in the Revolutionary War. Monmouth Battlefield State Park hosts reenactments each June, but you can explore the grounds year-round to hike, bike, ski, or horseback ride.

Manalapan Township comes in 12th for its violent and nonviolent crime rates, though the county crime rates are higher. This makes it the 13th safest city in Jersey.

Check out homes in Manalapan Township for a slice of colonial history. 

14. Ridgewood

County: Bergen

Population: 26,168

Violent Crime Rate: 65 per 100,000

FEMA Score: 98.7

Ridgewood is a village in north Jersey near the New York border. Moving to Ridgewood is perfect if you want a very walkable downtown area and a quick train to New York City while having a quieter place to rest your head at night. Ridgewood is particularly known for the restaurants and stores downtown, where you can easily spend a few hours window shopping.

Ridgewood has the seventh lowest violent crime rate and 16th lowest nonviolent crime rate of the cities in New Jersey we studied. However, it’s also the third most expensive city.

Check out homes in Ridgewood to call the 14th safest place to live in New Jersey home.

15. Bergenfield

County: Bergen

Population: 28,163

Violent Crime Rate: 75 per 100,000

FEMA Score: 98.7

Right between Paramus and the Hudson River, you’ll find Bergenfield. This area in Jersey is known for its abundance of golf courses, whether you want some riverfront views while you tee off or you’re looking for something within town limits at the Knickerbocker Country Club.

Bergenfield finishes strong and secures the title for the 15th safest city in New Jersey. The high population density and higher FEMA risk due to its proximity to the Hudson bring this city to spot 15, although it has the ninth lowest violent crime rate and fourth lowest nonviolent crime rate.

Check out homes in Bergenfield for golf courses galore and a safe home in Jersey. 

Other Safest Cities in New Jersey

There are plenty of safe cities to check out in the Garden State, even if they didn’t make the top 15. Here are some other areas to consider:

16. Old Bridge Township

17. Stafford Township

18. Lacey Township

19. Manchester Township

20. Marlboro Township

21. East Windsor Township

22. Princeton

23. Livingston Township

24. East Brunswick Township

25. Nutley Township

26. Howell Township

27. Evesham Township

28. Fair Lawn

29. West Windsor Township

30. Washington Township

Methodology

We used a weighted ranking of the top 100 cities by population in New Jersey to determine which cities are safest. We used data from the U.S. Census Bureau, state-reported crime, FEMA, and Best Places cost of living score, weighting them as follows:

• City violent crime rate - 30%

• City nonviolent crime rate - 25%

• FEMA index - 15%

• County violent crime rate - 5%

• County property crime rate - 5%

• Median household income - 5%

• Poverty rate - 5%

• Cost of living - 5%

• Population density - 5%

FAQ

Looking for some more information on New Jersey before you confirm your next move? Here are some top questions about safety in Jersey.

Which county of New Jersey is the safest?

Morris County in New Jersey has the lowest violent crime and nonviolent crime rates in the state. The violent crime rate is 110 per 100,000, and the nonviolent crime rate is 525 per 100,000.

Which city in New Jersey has the lowest crime rate?

Bernards has the lowest violent crime rate in New Jersey at 32 per 100,000. South Brunswick has the lowest nonviolent crime rate at 146 per 100,000.

Try Life in the Garden State

When you’re ready to make your move to New Jersey, trust UpHomes to help you find the perfect home for your needs and take some of the guesswork out of which city will be safest for your family.