Basking Ridge Ranks Among Best NJ Towns To Live In 2025: Niche

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Bernards Township was named as one of the best places to live in New Jersey for 2025, according to Niche.com's latest "report card".

Bernards Township was ranked as the 44th best place to live in New Jersey in 2025 out of 564 towns. Bernardsville took the top spot in Somerset County.

In New Jersey, Bernards ranks 22nd "Best Suburbs to Raise a Family" and 22nd "Places with the Best Public Schools."

Now in its 11th year, the ranking from the data-driven platform Niche helps everyone from young people just starting their careers or families to retirees decide where they want to live. The report analyzes places of various sizes, including cities with populations of 100,000 or more, suburbs and neighborhoods. Related: 5 NJ Towns Ranked Among Best Places to Live In America

The rankings are based on a wide range of public data sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, combined with millions of resident reviews.

Bernards Township received an overall Niche grade of A+ for 2025. Here's how Niche graded Bernards in the following categories:

• Public Schools: A+
• Crime & Safety: A-
• Housing: B
• Nightlife: C+
• Good for Families: A+
• Diversity: B+
• Jobs: B+
• Weather: B-
• Cost of Living: C+
• Health & Fitness: A
• Outdoor Activities: A
• Commute: B

The top 10 best places to live in New Jersey are:

1. Princeton Junction
2. Mountain Lakes
3. Ridgewood
4. Princeton
5. Princeton Meadows
6. Upper Montclair
7. Hawthorne
8. Monmouth Junction
9. Glen Rock
10. Ho-Ho-Kus

See the full list of ranked towns here. Learn about researchers' methodology here.

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