Princeton 87 Exceptional
Princeton Livability #9 ranked city in New Jersey#224 ranked city in the USARanks better than 99% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Princeton

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.

  • Crime Crime

    Crime per 100,000 people is significantly lower than the national average, making it a safe place to live. These crime statistics include both violent and property crimes.

  • Employment Employment

    Higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates are seen in this area. The result is a high score in the employment category.

  • 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.

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.

What's it like Living in Princeton?

Located in the state of New Jersey, Princeton is a moderately-sized city with a population of 32,045 residents. If we look at the most recent Census, Princeton is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. If you are a young adult or student, you might be pleased to know that the average age of all Princeton residents is 32. Princeton is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 49% married, this city falls well below the national average. 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 Princeton is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 26 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Princeton could be a positive experience compared to other cities in New Jersey if you know where to search. 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. With useful information like crime, commute, health & safety, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Princeton and in the areas around Princeton is a much easier task.

Using data and statistics Princeton has received a livability score of 88/100. This score is ranked in the 99th percentile when compared to all other cities. Based on this score, Princeton would be considered a very livable city! This city is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. If we consider each of the categories individually, we see that Princeton ranks well for crime (A+) and education (A+).

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 Princeton, 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 Princeton undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location.

Crime rates can be the deciding factor for anyone looking to relocate to a new area, as the result is often a greater level of safety and security as well as an improved quality of life. Princeton gets top scores for their low violent crime rates of 49 crimes per 100,000 residents, which are significantly lower than the national average.

Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Princeton has an unemployment rate of 2.4% could mean increased job opportunities with a higher demand for workers. It could also lead to higher wages, as the demand for workers exceeds the availability of jobs. Most importantly, it could be a sign of a healthy and thriving local economy.

Test scores can be a good way to measure a school's academic performance and the proficiency of its students. They can be an important metric in deciding if the local area schools can provide a solid educational system for children. The schools in Princeton have an average test score of 72%, which is well above the US average.

Assuming that Princeton meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Princeton. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Princeton are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Princeton come in at $1,549,451, which is 178.9% higher than the New Jersey average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Princeton, 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 Princeton

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      Princeton transportation information

      Statistic Princeton New Jersey National
      Average one way commute26min31min26min
      Workers who drive to work42.1%71.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool4.8%8.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit8.4%11.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle2.6%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk21.5%3.0%2.8%
      Working from home20.1%4.1%4.6%
      Source: The Princeton, 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.