HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — There's lots to consider when seeking where to live: safety, schools, parks, and transportation.
The annual Best Places To Live list from Niche, a data-driven platform that helps people to determine where to settle down, was recently released for 2026, and Jersey City had a special distinction.
The national 2026 Best Places to Live list includes 230 cities and 18,000 towns, suburbs, and neighborhoods.
Jersey City came in at number 11 in the entire country for "Best Cities for Young Professionals in America."
"Living in Jersey City offers residents an urban feel and most residents rent their homes," Niche says. "In Jersey City there are a lot of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many families and young professionals live in Jersey City."
The city gets an A+ for diversity and an A in nightlife.
The city beat out Austin (15), Portland (20) and Chicago (21).
Cities topping the national list included Cambridge, Mass.; Seattle, and Arlington, Va.
Jersey City was ranked the highest in New Jersey.
The city is also becoming known as a foodie destination, and made a national Food and Wine Magazine list in 2022.
The full Niche list is here.
The rankings are based on resident reviews and data sources, ranging from the U.S. Census Bureau to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Jersey City, NJ Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.