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    Neighborhoods/New Jersey

    Best Neighborhoods for First-Time Buyers in New Jersey (2026 Rankings)

    Buying your first home is a big step. We ranked 25 neighborhoods in New Jersey by affordability index to help first-time buyers find areas where homeownership is within reach. Scores above 100 mean housing is more affordable than average.

    West Freehold CDPWest Freehold CDP, NJ
    Kurby Score: 70
    Affordability Index: 110
    Home Value: $475,900
    Population: 14,448
    Walk Score: 25/100
    AQI: 42
    LindenNJ
    Kurby Score: 69
    Affordability Index: 110
    Home Value: $357,000
    Population: 43,478
    Walk Score: 25/100
    AQI: 42
    CliftonNJ
    Kurby Score: 69
    Affordability Index: 110
    Home Value: $428,000
    Population: 89,451
    Walk Score: 25/100
    AQI: 32
    4
    Greentree CDPGreentree CDP, NJ
    Kurby Score: 70
    Affordability Index: 110
    Home Value: $375,800
    Population: 11,016
    Walk Score: 25/100
    AQI: 42
    5
    Princeton Meadows CDPPrinceton Meadows CDP, NJ
    Kurby Score: 68
    Affordability Index: 110
    Home Value: $584,500
    Population: 15,585
    Walk Score: 25/100
    AQI: 42
    6
    Blackwells Mills CDPBlackwells Mills CDP, NJ
    Kurby Score: 71
    Affordability Index: 110
    Home Value: $696,100
    Population: 10,047
    Walk Score: 25/100
    AQI: 42
    7
    Manville boroughNJ
    Kurby Score: 69
    Affordability Index: 110
    Home Value: $301,300
    Population: 10,892
    Walk Score: 25/100
    AQI: 42
    8
    BridgetonNJ
    Kurby Score: 70
    Affordability Index: 110
    Home Value: $130,800
    Population: 26,895
    Walk Score: 25/100
    AQI: 42
    9
    Flanders CDPFlanders CDP, NJ
    Kurby Score: 70
    Affordability Index: 110
    Home Value: $475,300
    Population: 9,164
    Walk Score: 25/100
    AQI: 42
    10
    South River boroughNJ
    Kurby Score: 69
    Affordability Index: 110
    Home Value: $360,800
    Population: 16,081
    Walk Score: 25/100
    AQI: 42
    11
    PassaicNJ
    Kurby Score: 67
    Affordability Index: 110
    Home Value: $379,800
    Population: 70,048
    Walk Score: 25/100
    AQI: 32
    12
    Lakewood CDPLakewood CDP, NJ
    Kurby Score: 63
    Affordability Index: 110
    Home Value: $604,600
    Population: 68,555
    Walk Score: 25/100
    AQI: 32
    13
    PatersonNJ
    Kurby Score: 68
    Affordability Index: 110
    Home Value: $314,100
    Population: 157,864
    Walk Score: 25/100
    AQI: 32
    14
    Florham Park boroughNJ
    Kurby Score: 67
    Affordability Index: 110
    Home Value: $705,200
    Population: 12,790
    Walk Score: 25/100
    AQI: 42
    15
    Bellmawr boroughNJ
    Kurby Score: 70
    Affordability Index: 110
    Home Value: $199,600
    Population: 11,677
    Walk Score: 25/100
    AQI: 42
    16
    Monmouth Junction CDPMonmouth Junction CDP, NJ
    Kurby Score: 69
    Affordability Index: 110
    Home Value: $478,700
    Population: 9,750
    Walk Score: 25/100
    AQI: 42
    17
    TrentonNJ
    Kurby Score: 71
    Affordability Index: 110
    Home Value: $111,200
    Population: 90,055
    Walk Score: 25/100
    AQI: 32
    18
    Atlantic CityNJ
    Kurby Score: 68
    Affordability Index: 110
    Home Value: $174,200
    Population: 38,487
    Walk Score: 25/100
    AQI: 42
    19
    Middlesex boroughNJ
    Kurby Score: 70
    Affordability Index: 110
    Home Value: $390,200
    Population: 14,525
    Walk Score: 25/100
    AQI: 42
    20
    Somerset CDPSomerset CDP, NJ
    Kurby Score: 69
    Affordability Index: 110
    Home Value: $381,500
    Population: 24,246
    Walk Score: 25/100
    AQI: 42
    21
    VinelandNJ
    Kurby Score: 71
    Affordability Index: 110
    Home Value: $205,500
    Population: 60,796
    Walk Score: 25/100
    AQI: 32
    22
    Glen Rock boroughNJ
    Kurby Score: 69
    Affordability Index: 110
    Home Value: $786,300
    Population: 12,086
    Walk Score: 25/100
    AQI: 42
    23
    Hawthorne boroughNJ
    Kurby Score: 69
    Affordability Index: 110
    Home Value: $481,500
    Population: 19,456
    Walk Score: 25/100
    AQI: 42
    24
    Leonia boroughNJ
    Kurby Score: 68
    Affordability Index: 110
    Home Value: $619,700
    Population: 9,273
    Walk Score: 25/100
    AQI: 42
    25
    Toms River CDPToms River CDP, NJ
    Kurby Score: 70
    Affordability Index: 110
    Home Value: $356,100
    Population: 92,827
    Walk Score: 25/100
    AQI: 32

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