Lakewood, NJ

Lakewood NJ scores 90/100 on safety (well above average). Crime is about 63% below the national average. Most neighborhoods are fine for evening walks; still check the block you actually rent.

Detail: overall crime index 37 (100 = avg); violent crime index 41; property crime index 32. Indexes near 100 track a typical U.S. load. Higher means more crime pressure on that category.

School quality varies by neighborhood in Lakewood. Check GreatSchools.org or your local district for current ratings before you choose a ZIP.

Typical rent in Lakewood is about $1,718/month (on the high side). At $1,718/month for a typical unit, you need about $61,848+ in household income to rent comfortably without stretching (3× rent × 12). Typical home value: $715,500.

Median household income is $56,968, property taxes run about 1.45%, and homes typically sell in around 28 days. Local median income ($56,968) sits below the $61,848 comfort line for that rent. Many households will feel stretched.

Walk Score 68 (Somewhat Walkable); transit score 42 (Some Transit).

Average temperature is about 62°F (highs near 69°F, lows near 55°F).

You can be outside most of the year without extreme gear. Heating and cooling costs are usually moderate compared with hotter or colder metros. If you visit, go in winter or midsummer (not only in spring) to see the extremes.

Who tends to thrive in Lakewood: (1) Households that want quieter streets (safety sits at 90/100) (2) People relocating for a job who can pick a safer ZIP (citywide safety is 90/100) (3) Households earning $61,848+ who can clear the 3× rent rule at $1,718/month (4) Movers with a locked job offer in Lakewood who already priced rent and commute

Who should look elsewhere: (1) Anyone stretching past 40% of take-home on housing at $1,718/month (2) Households expecting top marks on rent and safety at once (Lakewood does not clear every bar) (3) People who will not research ZIP-level crime maps before leasing

Income sniff test: clear about $61,848 household income for $1,718/month rent. Under that, pick a cheaper ZIP or a different city.

Lakewood holds up well on the core metrics we publish. Safety at 90/100 makes it a reasonable choice for households who can manage $1,718/month rent. Verify school ratings for your target ZIP separately.