The 25 Best Vacation-Home Small Towns in New Jersey

Ranked on The Town Files lifestyle rankings among 352 towns of 500–10,000 people in New Jersey. #1 is Monmouth Beach, NJ.

1. 25Ocean, New Jersey

   Better for a vacation home than 92% of New Jersey towns

   Ocean is a township of 8,835 people in Ocean County, New Jersey. It also ranks better for first-time buyers than 93% of New Jersey towns and more seaside character than 90% of New Jersey towns.

   8,835 people · Ocean County · median home $475,200 · income $100,524 · Jan low 22°F · 10 in snow

   Full Ocean, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

2. 24Rio Grande, New Jersey

   Better for a vacation home than 93% of New Jersey towns

   Rio Grande is a community of 3,610 people in Cape May County, New Jersey. It also ranks more seaside character than 87% of New Jersey towns and quieter than 77% of New Jersey towns.

   3,610 people · Cape May County · median home $317,400 · income $76,250 · Jan low 29°F · 15 in snow

   Full Rio Grande, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

3. 23Barnegat, New Jersey

   Better for a vacation home than 93% of New Jersey towns

   Barnegat is a community of 3,894 people in Ocean County, New Jersey. It also ranks better for cycling than 97% of New Jersey towns and better for first-time buyers than 93% of New Jersey towns.

   3,894 people · Ocean County · median home $481,600 · income $108,664 · Jan low 27°F · 10 in snow

   Full Barnegat, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

4. 22Wildwood, New Jersey

   Better for a vacation home than 93% of New Jersey towns

   Wildwood is a city of 5,157 people in Cape May County, New Jersey. It also ranks more seaside character than 98% of New Jersey towns and more vibrant than 90% of New Jersey towns.

   5,157 people · Cape May County · median home $391,300 · income $75,222 · Jan low 29°F · 15 in snow

   Full Wildwood, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

5. 21North Wildwood, New Jersey

   Better for a vacation home than 94% of New Jersey towns

   North Wildwood is a city of 3,621 people in Cape May County, New Jersey. It also ranks better for cycling than 100% of New Jersey towns and more seaside character than 96% of New Jersey towns.

   3,621 people · Cape May County · median home $459,900 · income $90,833 · Jan low 29°F · 15 in snow

   Full North Wildwood, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

6. 20Highland Lakes, New Jersey

   Better for a vacation home than 94% of New Jersey towns

   Highland Lakes is a community of 4,816 people in Sussex County, New Jersey. It also ranks better for first-time buyers than 98% of New Jersey towns and better for families than 90% of New Jersey towns.

   4,816 people · Sussex County · median home $295,300 · income $109,000 · Jan low 18°F · 35 in snow

   Full Highland Lakes, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

7. 19Forked River, New Jersey

   Better for a vacation home than 94% of New Jersey towns

   Forked River is a community of 5,274 people in Ocean County, New Jersey. It also ranks more seaside character than 87% of New Jersey towns and better for first-time buyers than 86% of New Jersey towns.

   5,274 people · Ocean County · median home $437,000 · income $91,493 · Jan low 22°F · 10 in snow

   Full Forked River, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

8. 18Cape May, New Jersey

   Better for a vacation home than 95% of New Jersey towns

   Cape May is a city of 2,768 people in Cape May County, New Jersey. It also ranks better for cycling than 100% of New Jersey towns and better for young professionals than 98% of New Jersey towns.

   2,768 people · Cape May County · median home $863,900 · income $62,576 · Jan low 29°F · 15 in snow

   Full Cape May, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

9. 17Tuckerton, New Jersey

   Better for a vacation home than 95% of New Jersey towns

   Tuckerton is a borough of 3,577 people in Ocean County, New Jersey. It also ranks better for first-time buyers than 95% of New Jersey towns and more seaside character than 94% of New Jersey towns.

   3,577 people · Ocean County · median home $349,300 · income $88,892 · Jan low 27°F · 10 in snow

   Full Tuckerton, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

10. 16Stillwater, New Jersey

    Better for a vacation home than 95% of New Jersey towns

    Stillwater is a township of 4,004 people in Sussex County, New Jersey. It also ranks easier by car than 94% of New Jersey towns and quieter than 90% of New Jersey towns.

    4,004 people · Sussex County · median home $343,100 · income $123,134 · Jan low 19°F · 34 in snow

    Full Stillwater, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

11. 15Villas, New Jersey

    Better for a vacation home than 95% of New Jersey towns

    Villas is a community of 9,134 people in Cape May County, New Jersey. It also ranks better for first-time buyers than 96% of New Jersey towns and more seaside character than 94% of New Jersey towns.

    9,134 people · Cape May County · median home $301,600 · income $80,974 · Jan low 29°F · 15 in snow

    Full Villas, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

12. 14Wildwood Crest, New Jersey

    Better for a vacation home than 96% of New Jersey towns

    

    Wildwood Crest is a borough of 3,101 people in Cape May County, New Jersey. It also ranks better for cycling than 99% of New Jersey towns and more seaside character than 96% of New Jersey towns.

    3,101 people · Cape May County · median home $590,900 · income $69,089 · Jan low 29°F · 15 in snow

    Full Wildwood Crest, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

13. 13North Cape May, New Jersey

    Better for a vacation home than 96% of New Jersey towns

    North Cape May is a community of 4,007 people in Cape May County, New Jersey. It also ranks better for first-time buyers than 95% of New Jersey towns and more seaside character than 86% of New Jersey towns.

    4,007 people · Cape May County · median home $393,300 · income $86,962 · Jan low 29°F · 15 in snow

    Full North Cape May, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

14. 12Ventnor City, New Jersey

    Better for a vacation home than 96% of New Jersey towns

    Ventnor City is a city of 9,210 people in Atlantic County, New Jersey. It also ranks more seaside character than 99% of New Jersey towns and hipper than 92% of New Jersey towns.

    9,210 people · Atlantic County · median home $363,000 · income $68,671 · Jan low 30°F · 17 in snow

    Full Ventnor City, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

15. 11Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey

    Better for a vacation home than 97% of New Jersey towns

    Point Pleasant Beach is a borough of 4,766 people in Ocean County, New Jersey. It also ranks better for cycling than 98% of New Jersey towns and more seaside character than 97% of New Jersey towns.

    4,766 people · Ocean County · median home $850,300 · income $141,716 · Jan low 22°F

    Full Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

16. 10Long Beach, New Jersey

    Better for a vacation home than 98% of New Jersey towns

    

    Long Beach is a township of 3,153 people in Ocean County, New Jersey. It also ranks quieter than 99% of New Jersey towns and better for cycling than 99% of New Jersey towns.

    3,153 people · Ocean County · median home $1,193,700 · income $113,224 · Jan low 27°F · 10 in snow

    Full Long Beach, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

17. 9Palermo, New Jersey

    Better for a vacation home than 98% of New Jersey towns

    Palermo is a community of 3,183 people in Cape May County, New Jersey. It also ranks better for first-time buyers than 98% of New Jersey towns and better for retirees than 91% of New Jersey towns.

    3,183 people · Cape May County · median home $395,400 · income $101,005 · Jan low 23°F · 19 in snow

    Full Palermo, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

18. 8Bradley Beach, New Jersey

    Better for a vacation home than 98% of New Jersey towns

    Bradley Beach is a borough of 4,282 people in Monmouth County, New Jersey. It also ranks better for young professionals than 100% of New Jersey towns and more seaside character than 100% of New Jersey towns.

    4,282 people · Monmouth County · median home $932,800 · income $97,005 · Jan low 25°F

    Full Bradley Beach, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

19. 7Rutgers University-Busch Campus, New Jersey

    Better for a vacation home than 98% of New Jersey towns

    Rutgers University-Busch Campus is a community of 4,586 people in Middlesex County, New Jersey. It also ranks more of a college town than 100% of New Jersey towns and better for young professionals than 98% of New Jersey towns.

    4,586 people · Middlesex County · median home — · income — · Jan low 23°F · 29 in snow

    Full Rutgers University-Busch Campus, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

20. 6Belmar, New Jersey

    Better for a vacation home than 98% of New Jersey towns

    

    Belmar is a borough of 5,907 people in Monmouth County, New Jersey. It also ranks more seaside character than 99% of New Jersey towns and more vibrant than 98% of New Jersey towns.

    5,907 people · Monmouth County · median home $861,800 · income $93,573 · Jan low 25°F

    Full Belmar, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

21. 5Brigantine, New Jersey

    Better for a vacation home than 98% of New Jersey towns

    

    Brigantine is a city of 7,716 people in Atlantic County, New Jersey. It also ranks better for retirees than 90% of New Jersey towns and more seaside character than 88% of New Jersey towns.

    7,716 people · Atlantic County · median home $524,800 · income $97,250 · Jan low 30°F · 15 in snow

    Full Brigantine, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

22. 4Beach Haven West, New Jersey

    Better for a vacation home than 99% of New Jersey towns

    Beach Haven West is a community of 4,143 people in Ocean County, New Jersey. It also ranks quieter than 92% of New Jersey towns and more seaside character than 89% of New Jersey towns.

    4,143 people · Ocean County · median home $641,700 · income $119,394 · Jan low 27°F · 10 in snow

    Full Beach Haven West, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

23. 3Margate City, New Jersey

    Better for a vacation home than 99% of New Jersey towns

    Margate City is a city of 5,317 people in Atlantic County, New Jersey. It also ranks more seaside character than 97% of New Jersey towns and better for cycling than 96% of New Jersey towns.

    5,317 people · Atlantic County · median home $708,800 · income $121,800 · Jan low 30°F · 17 in snow

    Full Margate City, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

24. 2Spring Lake, New Jersey

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of New Jersey towns

    Spring Lake is a borough of 2,789 people in Monmouth County, New Jersey. It also ranks more upscale than 99% of New Jersey towns and more seaside character than 97% of New Jersey towns.

    2,789 people · Monmouth County · median home $2,000,001 · income $215,625 · Jan low 25°F

    Full Spring Lake, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

25. 1Monmouth Beach, New Jersey

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of New Jersey towns

    Monmouth Beach is a borough of 3,174 people in Monmouth County, New Jersey. It also ranks better for retirees than 100% of New Jersey towns and more seaside character than 96% of New Jersey towns.

    3,174 people · Monmouth County · median home $995,000 · income $150,188 · Jan low 25°F · 25 in snow

    Full Monmouth Beach, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Price vs ranking

More New Jersey rankings

• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in New Jersey
• The 25 Quietest Small Towns in New Jersey
• The 25 Most Affordable Small Towns in New Jersey
• The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in New Jersey
• The 25 Best Quiet, Affordable Small Towns to Retire in New Jersey
• 25 Small Towns in New Jersey With the Cheapest Homes
• 25 Small Towns in New Jersey With the Mildest Winters
• The 25 Most Walkable Small Towns in New Jersey
• 25 Small Towns in New Jersey With the Fewest Tornadoes Since 1950
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in New Jersey

Same ranking, other places

• The 50 Best Vacation-Home Small Towns in America
• The 25 Best Vacation-Home Small Towns in Pennsylvania
• The 25 Best Vacation-Home Small Towns in New York
• The 25 Best Vacation-Home Small Towns in Michigan
• The 25 Best Vacation-Home Small Towns in Texas
• The 25 Best Vacation-Home Small Towns in California