
Mantoloking is a small, affluent coastal community in Ocean County known for its pristine beaches and exclusive oceanfront homes. Located on a narrow barrier island, the town offers a quiet, private lifestyle with limited commercial development. Its waterfront estates, large homes, and scarce inventory continue to attract affluent buyers seeking a luxury retreat along the Jersey Shore. Following Hurricane Sandy in 2012, much of Mantoloking was rebuilt to higher construction standards, further enhancing the quality and value of its housing market.
Mantoloking is a small, affluent coastal community in Ocean County known for its pristine beaches and exclusive oceanfront homes. Located on a narrow barrier island, the town offers a quiet, private lifestyle with limited commerci...
Personal Safety : 87
Property Safety : 64
Community Safety : 86
$6,175,000
Median Home Rent
$10,000

Alpine is one of New Jersey's most exclusive and expensive towns. Located in Bergen County along the Palisades, it is known for its sprawling estates and quiet residential streets. The town has no major commercial development, helping preserve its privacy and upscale character. Its close proximity to Manhattan makes Alpine a popular choice for executives, athletes, and celebrities seeking luxury living with easy access to the city.
Alpine is one of New Jersey's most exclusive and expensive towns. Located in Bergen County along the Palisades, it is known for its sprawling estates and quiet residential streets. The town has no major commercial development, hel...
Personal Safety : 100
Property Safety : 77
Community Safety : 98
$4,000,000
Median Home Rent
$4,500

Sea Girt is a small coastal borough in Monmouth County, known for its quiet, narrow stretch of the Jersey Shore. Unlike nearby Shore towns, it has no commercial boardwalk. Residential streets run straight to the beach, creating a tranquil and peaceful feel. Consistently ranked among New Jersey's most expensive communities by median home price, Sea Girt attracts buyers seeking an alternative to busier shore towns.
Sea Girt is a small coastal borough in Monmouth County, known for its quiet, narrow stretch of the Jersey Shore. Unlike nearby Shore towns, it has no commercial boardwalk. Residential streets run straight to the beach, creating a ...
Personal Safety : N/A
Property Safety : N/A
Community Safety : N/A
$3,650,000
Median Home Rent
$4,949

Known along the Jersey Shore as the "Irish Riviera," Spring Lake stands out for its luxurious beaches. The beachtown is also famous for its Victorian architecture, and a rare two-mile boardwalk with no commercial activity. The high prices and rents in the area highlights its high cost of living.
Known along the Jersey Shore as the "Irish Riviera," Spring Lake stands out for its luxurious beaches. The beachtown is also famous for its Victorian architecture, and a rare two-mile boardwalk with no commercial activity. The hig...
Personal Safety : N/A
Property Safety : N/A
Community Safety : N/A
$3,100,000
Median Home Rent
$9,500

Also in Bergen County, Franklin Lakes is known for its tree-lined streets and proximity to major corporate corridors along Route 208 and I-287. Companies including Pfizer and Stryker operate within commuting range, drawing a concentration of high-earning professionals to the area. That affluence is reflected throughout the local housing market, which consistently ranks among the priciest in Bergen County.
Also in Bergen County, Franklin Lakes is known for its tree-lined streets and proximity to major corporate corridors along Route 208 and I-287. Companies including Pfizer and Stryker operate within commuting range, drawing a conce...
Personal Safety : 99
Property Safety : 97
Community Safety : 96
$3,000,000
Median Home Rent
$3,200

Saddle River is one of New Jersey's wealthiest towns, known for its equestrian estates, expansive acreage lots, and no commercial development within its borders. Many residences feature gated entrances and extensive private land, reinforcing its exclusivity. The borough is home to high-profile residents, including billionaire Rocco Commisso. High-end estates here also come with some of the steepest property tax bills in Bergen County, reflecting just how upscale the local housing market has become.
Saddle River is one of New Jersey's wealthiest towns, known for its equestrian estates, expansive acreage lots, and no commercial development within its borders. Many residences feature gated entrances and extensive private land, ...
Personal Safety : 100
Property Safety : 90
Community Safety : 92
$2,895,000
Median Home Rent
$3,100

Beach Haven anchors the southern end of Long Beach Island in Ocean County, where beach access and a lively town center support a strong vacation rental market. Fantasy Island Amusement Park and a popular restaurant scene keep the borough active beyond peak season, helping sustain steady demand for housing well outside the summer rush.
Beach Haven anchors the southern end of Long Beach Island in Ocean County, where beach access and a lively town center support a strong vacation rental market. Fantasy Island Amusement Park and a popular restaurant scene keep the ...
Personal Safety : 100
Property Safety : 70
Community Safety : 66
$2,700,000
Median Home Rent
$1,950

Just 23 miles from Midtown Manhattan, Short Hills is one of New Jersey's wealthiest suburbs within Millburn Township in Essex County. The Mall at Short Hills and highly rated Millburn Township Public Schools add to the area's appeal among high-income buyers. It ranks among the richest neighborhoods in New Jersey's NYC metro area.
Just 23 miles from Midtown Manhattan, Short Hills is one of New Jersey's wealthiest suburbs within Millburn Township in Essex County. The Mall at Short Hills and highly rated Millburn Township Public Schools add to the area's appe...
Personal Safety : N/A
Property Safety : N/A
Community Safety : N/A
$2,592,500
Median Home Rent
$2,300

Avalon occupies the northern section of Seven Mile Beach in Cape May County and is known for its high-end beach-town feel. Limited development and a small commercial area help preserve the borough's quiet residential feel. Known locally as "Cooler by a Mile," it draws buyers seeking a calmer alternative to the northern Shore.
Avalon occupies the northern section of Seven Mile Beach in Cape May County and is known for its high-end beach-town feel. Limited development and a small commercial area help preserve the borough's quiet residential feel. Known l...
Personal Safety : 100
Property Safety : 42
Community Safety : 78
$2,380,000
Median Home Rent
$2,000

Rumson sits on the Navesink River peninsula in Monmouth County and is known for its waterfront estates, deep-water docks, and equestrian properties. Large private lots and limited commercial development help preserve the borough's exclusive residential character. Direct NJ Transit access to New York Penn Station adds to its appeal among high-income buyers. The borough's waterfront lifestyle and equestrian character have long drawn an affluent, established resident base.
Rumson sits on the Navesink River peninsula in Monmouth County and is known for its waterfront estates, deep-water docks, and equestrian properties. Large private lots and limited commercial development help preserve the borough's...
Personal Safety : N/A
Property Safety : N/A
Community Safety : N/A
$2,149,999
Median Home Rent
$3,500
Transparent & data-driven
Each city is scored across five weighted categories using daily MLS data and verified government stats. Every metric is benchmarked against both its state average and the national average — dual benchmarking — so a market isn’t judged expensive just for sitting in a high-cost state.
Sale price, price per sq ft & high-value concentration vs. state and national benchmarks.
Median rent, rent-to-income ratio & rental demand vs. state and national medians.
The gap between median household income and the cost of living for the area.
Turnover, scarcity, days on market & buyer competition from Houzeo’s live MLS feed.
Utilities, transportation & everyday goods vs. state and national averages — the tiebreaker.
MLS metrics update daily; government data is added on each agency’s release schedule.
Safety plays a big role for many people moving to New Jersey. These cities rank among the safest in the state based on the latest FBI crime data. They report lower rates of violent and property crime than the New Jersey average. You can explore the full list in our safest places to live in New Jersey rankings.
Based on information from the Monmouth Ocean Regional REALTORS® Multiple Listing Service through Oct 5, 2026, 3:00 PM. Information is provided exclusively for consumers’ personal, non-commercial use that it may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing, and that data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS. This website may not include listings or property addresses of sellers who have directed their listing brokers to withhold their listing or their property address from display on the Internet. ©202 Monmouth Ocean Regional REALTORS®. All Rights Reserved.
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