New Brunswick 75 Excellent
New Brunswick Livability #154 ranked city in New Jersey#3,986 ranked city in the USARanks better than 86% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in New Brunswick

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A wealth of amenities, such as restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, parks and fitness facilities, are all conveniently located within walking distance.

  • Commute Commute

    An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Based on recent surveys and polls, locals gave high marks in the walkability to local amenities, safety, public transit, friendliness of neighbors and overall sense of community in the area.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Living in this region comes with a high cost of living, translating to elevated costs for homes, goods and services, groceries, utilities, health care and transportation.

  • Crime Crime

    This area reports elevated crime rates per 100,000 individuals, potentially pointing some areas being unsafe for its residents. Stats are based on both property and violent crimes.

  • Schools Schools

    The low schools score could result from issues like below-average graduation rates, inadequate reading and math scores, and the unavailability of local elementary and high schools.

What's it like Living in New Brunswick?

New Brunswick is a moderately-sized city located in the state of New Jersey. The city has a population of 57,400 people. In New Brunswick, there are 10,969 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. More than a quarter of the residents of New Brunswick identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 46% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. With an average age of 24 years old, New Brunswick could be a great place to live for young adults as this age is well below the national average. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 27% of the New Brunswick population is married. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in New Brunswick is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 28 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.

Living in New Brunswick can be a fulfilling experience for anyone moving to the city. Having said that, in the state of New Jersey, there are many incredible places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, cost of living, commute, education, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in New Brunswick and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare New Brunswick to New Jersey and the national average.

The livability score in New Brunswick is 74 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 86th percentile of all cities across America. Regrettably for New Brunswick, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: crime (F), cost of living (F) and education (F).

The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in New Brunswick, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in New Brunswick undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to New Brunswick is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in New Brunswick come in at $473,807, which is 14.7% lower than the New Jersey average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In New Brunswick, the home price to income ratio is 7.2, which is 41.2% higher than the New Jersey average.

Best Places to Live in and Around New Brunswick

See all the best places to live around New Brunswick

How Do You Rate The Livability In New Brunswick?

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Compare New Brunswick, NJ Livability

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      New Brunswick transportation information

      Statistic New Brunswick New Jersey National
      Average one way commute28min31min26min
      Workers who drive to work48.0%71.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool21.0%8.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit9.7%11.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle1.2%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk10.4%3.0%2.8%
      Working from home6.4%4.1%4.6%
      Source: The New Brunswick, 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.