NEW JERSEY— If you’re looking for somewhere to call home in New Jersey, give a closer look to Jersey City and Harrington Park, which topped their categories in a new ranking based on quality of life issues released Monday.

Now in its 12th year, the 2026 Best Places to Live ranking from the data-driven platform Niche helps everyone from young people just starting their careers or families to retirees decide where they want to live. The report analyzes places of various sizes.

The ranking includes 230 cities and 18,000 towns, suburbs and neighborhoods.

The state’s highest marks were in education, transportation and diversity. The report shows there’s work to be done in housing affordability.

New Jersey communities that scored well in Niche’s analysis include the following:

#44 – Jersey City: Residents highlight its diversity, vibrant mix of cultures, and major improvements in safety and development in recent years. Its close proximity to New York City allows for easy access to jobs and entertainment, while local amenities like restaurants and the waterfront add to its appeal for both young professionals and families.

#62 – Princeton Junction: Residents highlight its friendly atmosphere, easy commutes to New York City, New Brunswick, and Philadelphia, and its proximity to Princeton’s restaurants and shopping. The town is especially praised for being family-friendly, with parks, pools, and trails.

#67 – Harrington Park: This suburban town stands out for its top-rated public schools and easy daily living, with residents highlighting the convenience of short commutes to local schools and a strong sense of community.

#108 – Princeton: Known for its strong overall quality of life and top-rated public schools, Princeton continues to stand out as one of the state’s most desirable and well-rounded communities.

#154 – Mountain Lakes: This suburban town earns high marks for its excellent schools and overall livability, offering a quiet, residential feel with strong community appeal.

#168 – Fanwood: Residents describe Fanwood as a tight-knit, welcoming town with community traditions like summer “Movie in the Park” events and seasonal celebrations. Its blend of small-town charm and evolving downtown adds to its appeal.

#198 – Hoboken: Visitors and residents point to Hoboken’s walkability, improved urban planning, and vibrant food scene. Its accessibility and active lifestyle make it a standout urban suburb where it’s easy to stay engaged and entertained.

The rankings are based on a wide range of public data sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, combined with millions of resident reviews.

Naperville, Illinois, is the best city in America for the third consecutive year, according to Niche’s rankings. Rounding out the top five were Cambridge, Massachusetts; The Woodlands, Texas; Arlington, Virginia; and Bellevue, Washington, respectively.

The top five places to live are Atlantic Station, Georgia; Colonial Village, Virginia; Evergreen Park, California; Downtown North, California; and Clarendon Hills, Illinois, respectively.

Niche said year’s top-ranked places are smaller, walkable communities within major metro areas, giving residents access to jobs, amenities, and transit while maintaining connected neighborhoods. Many have populations under 15,000, as demand grows for places that balance urban convenience with neighborhood livability.

“People are increasingly looking for neighborhoods that offer both access to diverse career opportunities and a strong sense of community,” Allison Shrivatava,an economist at Niche, said in a news release.. “These smaller, walkable communities provide the mix of amenities and livability that families and young professionals both value.”

Many of these communities are located near major economic hubs, including Silicon Valley and large Northeast metros, where robust job markets and high-quality public schools continue to attract residents.

The traditional divide between places for young professionals and families is narrowing, with many communities now ranking highly across both categories. Niche said its 2026 rankings show how quickly preferences are evolving — driven by affordability pressures and demand for dining, entertainment, and walkability.

“Every life stage brings a new set of priorities, and our goal with these rankings is to help make the decision of where to live a lot easier,” Niche founder and CEO Luke Skurman said in the release. “Whether you’re a young professional, raising a family, or planning your next move, Niche gives you a clear, data-driven picture of what a community actually offers.”