Best Cities for Young Professionals in New Jersey
New Jersey ranks #43 of 50 for young professionals, with a young professionals score of 41.3. Hoboken is its best city for young professionals at 68.3.
- New Jersey, all states
- #43 of 50
- Population
- 58,668
What Young Professionals Should Know About New Jersey
New Jersey ranks #43 out of 50 for young professionals, suggesting some tradeoffs for career-focused relocators. The state's economy scores 49/100, with 5.2% unemployment and a median household income of $104,294. Modest population growth of 0.44% suggests a stable but not booming market.
For young professionals, the equation comes down to earning potential versus cost of living. A cost-of-living index of 108.8 means higher expenses, so salary negotiations need to account for the premium. Growth metrics are moderate, so career advancement may depend more on specific industries than broad market expansion.
Beyond the paycheck, livability matters. New Jersey's livability score of 26/100 is modest, which may matter to young professionals who value nightlife, dining, and cultural events. Transportation is car-dependent in most areas (score: 46/100), which is worth factoring into housing location decisions.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Young Professionals
| # City | Grade | Young Professionals score | Overall | Economy | Growth | Walkability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Hoboken | A+ | 68.3 | 74.2 | 92 | 50 | 76 | 58,668 |
| 2Jersey City | B+ | 57.3 | 60.5 | 58 | 42 | 70 | 294,078 |
| 3Clifton | A | 56.9 | 63.4 | 56 | 38 | 72 | 89,379 |
| 4West New York | B | 56.3 | 58.1 | 47 | 50 | 74 | 52,004 |
| 5Hackensack | B+ | 55.2 | 62.2 | 50 | 37 | 72 | 46,057 |
| 6Bayonne | B+ | 54.9 | 60.0 | 44 | 43 | 68 | 71,553 |
| 7Toms River | B+ | 52.7 | 59.7 | 56 | — | 45 | 94,956 |
| 8Union City | B | 52.2 | 55.9 | 39 | 40 | 76 | 66,463 |
| 9New Brunswick | C | 49.5 | 51.5 | 39 | 38 | 71 | 56,345 |
| 10Lakewood | C | 47.2 | 50.9 | 41 | — | 70 | 69,585 |
| 11Plainfield | C | 47.0 | 50.7 | 38 | 34 | 66 | 55,236 |
| 12Passaic | D | 46.7 | 47.9 | 31 | 33 | 74 | 70,002 |
| 13Elizabeth | C | 46.6 | 52.3 | 34 | 33 | 62 | 137,302 |
| 14Newark | D | 44.3 | 47.7 | 21 | 39 | 67 | 310,178 |
| 15Perth Amboy | C | 44.2 | 51.4 | 22 | 32 | 71 | 55,855 |
| 16Vineland | C | 44.1 | 50.7 | 27 | 33 | 44 | 61,006 |
| 17East Orange | C | 43.0 | 49.7 | 22 | 27 | 66 | 70,090 |
| 18Trenton | D | 42.5 | 42.8 | 19 | 29 | 73 | 90,338 |
| 19Paterson | D | 39.3 | 43.1 | 18 | 25 | 72 | 158,735 |
| 20Camden | F | 34.4 | 38.0 | 2 | 17 | 70 | 71,496 |
City young professionals scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out.
Compare: States with Similar Young Professionals Rankings
Also See: New Jersey for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New Jersey a good state for young professionals?
New Jersey ranks #43 out of 50 for young professionals with a persona-weighted score of 41.3/100. Its strongest relevant category is Safety (82/100) and its weakest is Growth (20/100).
What is the best city for young professionals in New Jersey?
Hoboken ranks #1 in New Jersey for young professionals with a score of 68.3/100, followed by Jersey City and Clifton.
What factors are most important for young professionals in New Jersey?
Rankings weighted toward job market strength, economic growth, affordable living, transportation, and vibrant community life — the factors that attract ambitious young professionals.