Clifton 77 Exceptional
Clifton Livability #110 ranked city in New Jersey#2,833 ranked city in the USARanks better than 90% of areas
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Clifton, NJ - A City of Diversity and Convenience

Living in Clifton, NJ offers a suburban lifestyle with easy access to the bustling metropolis of New York City. Known for its diverse community and convenient location, Clifton is a city that embraces cultural variety and offers something for everyone. The city’s dining scene reflects its multicultural population, with a range of restaurants offering everything from Italian to Middle Eastern cuisine.

Clifton’s parks and green spaces provide ample opportunities for outdoor recreation. The Garret Mountain Reservation is a local favorite, offering hiking trails, scenic views, and picnic areas, while the nearby Clifton Commons provides shopping, dining, and entertainment options. The city’s Main Memorial Park is a popular spot for community events and family outings, with sports fields, playgrounds, and a beautiful lake.

For those who commute, Clifton’s location is ideal. The city is well-connected by major highways, and public transportation options, including NJ Transit trains and buses, provide easy access to Manhattan and other parts of New Jersey. Clifton’s proximity to the Meadowlands Sports Complex and MetLife Stadium makes it a convenient location for sports fans and concert-goers.

Clifton is also known for its strong sense of community and family-friendly atmosphere. The city hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the Clifton Street Fair and the Annual Thanksgiving Parade, which bring residents together for fun and celebration. The local schools are highly regarded, making Clifton a desirable place for families.

For those considering a move to New Jersey, Clifton offers a unique blend of suburban comfort, cultural diversity, and urban convenience. Whether you're drawn by its outdoor spaces, community events, or proximity to New York City, living in Clifton, NJ provides a rewarding and dynamic lifestyle.

Pros and Cons of Living in Clifton

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.

  • Employment Employment

    The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.

  • Housing Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Based on the most recent cost of living data, this area is more expensive to live in. You can expect to pay more for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries and utilities.

What's it like Living in Clifton?

Clifton is a moderately-sized city located in the state of New Jersey. The city has a population of 87,331 people. Clifton has a population density of 7,748 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. More than a quarter of the residents of Clifton identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 33% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Clifton, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 28 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Clifton could be a positive experience compared to other cities in New Jersey if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Finding the best places to live in Clifton and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, health & safety, education and other important metrics.

Using data and statistics Clifton has received a livability score of 78 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 92nd percentile when compared to all other cities. Based on this score, Clifton would be considered a very livable city! Clifton also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! For each of the livability categories, we see that Clifton ranks very well for crime (A-), education (B-), employment (A+) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Clifton. The following was graded with a discouraging score: cost of living (F).

Crime rates play a pivotal role in the decision-making process for anyone considering a move, as they directly influence the overall sense of safety, security and quality of life in a given location. Clifton shines in this regard, earning exemplary ratings for its exceptionally low violent crime rates, standing at 166 crimes per 100,000 residents. These rates are notably below the national average, underscoring the community's commitment to safety and contributing to an enhanced quality of life.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Clifton apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Clifton is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Clifton come in at $634,035, which is 14.1% higher than the New Jersey average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Clifton, the home price to income ratio is 5.2, which is 2% higher than the New Jersey average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Clifton

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Clifton?

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Compare Clifton, NJ Livability

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      Clifton transportation information

      Statistic Clifton New Jersey National
      Average one way commute28min31min26min
      Workers who drive to work74.2%71.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.7%8.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit8.7%11.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.7%3.0%2.8%
      Working from home3.7%4.1%4.6%
      Source: The Clifton, NJ data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.