Every October, cities across America dive into costumes, candy, and spooky fun. Jersey City, though, just keeps standing out as one of the nation’s top Halloween spots.
WalletHub’s annual “Top 20 Cities for Halloween” ranked Jersey City at No. 2—again. That’s three years running now, which is kind of wild. The city earned national praise for its safety, family-friendly vibes, and a strong sense of community spirit.
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Newark didn’t get left behind either, climbing to No. 10 overall. The study looked at metrics like “Halloween Fun,” “Trick-Or-Treater Friendliness,” and “Halloween Weather.” It really tried to capture how cities balance all that seasonal excitement with public safety.
Jersey City Tops the Charts for Trick-Or-Treater Safety
New York City took the No. 1 spot overall, but Jersey City did something special—it ranked first in the whole country for Trick-Or-Treater Friendliness. Kids in costume can expect not just a haul of treats here, but also a genuinely safe and welcoming atmosphere.
WalletHub’s data backs this up: Jersey City has the 15th-lowest violent crime rate and the fifth-lowest property crime rate in the nation. Locals already know it’s a great place for families, but it’s nice to see the numbers agree.
Newark came in strong too, earning fifth place for Trick-Or-Treater Friendliness. Northern New Jersey is quickly becoming a go-to region for safe, fun Halloween nights.
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Weather and Festivities: Room for Improvement
Jersey City’s safety scores are top-notch, but “Halloween Fun” and “Halloween Weather” rankings both stalled at No. 62. Sure, there’s room to add more seasonal events or boost the festive atmosphere. But honestly, the mild fall temperatures usually make for pretty comfortable evenings outside.
Newark showed a similar pattern—high marks for safety, but not as much for fun or weather. Maybe that’s something to work on for next year?
Why Jersey City Excels Every Halloween
WalletHub’s survey highlights what really matters: safety and a tight-knit community. Some cities might have more haunted houses or costume shops, but Jersey City’s neighborhoods have a unique energy. Families here know their city districts are vibrant and close-knit.
Neighbors often go the extra mile to make trick-or-treating memorable. Still, both Jersey City and Newark didn’t do great when it came to costume store availability. They ranked near the bottom nationally. Luckily, online shopping and those seasonal pop-up shops seem to help fill the gap.
The National Top Ten
This year’s top Halloween cities included:
- New York City
- Jersey City
- Los Angeles
- Chicago
- Las Vegas
- Miami
- Anaheim
- Boston
- Gilbert, Arizona
- Newark
With two New Jersey cities in the top ten, the Garden State’s Halloween reputation is definitely on the rise.
Planning Your Halloween Visit
If you want to check out Jersey City’s Halloween scene, it’s smart to research where to stay in Jersey City. Plenty of Jersey City hotels are close to family-friendly neighborhoods and seasonal events, so you’ll be right in the middle of the action.
Wondering about getting to Jersey City? It’s super accessible—PATH trains, ferries, and major highways all make it a breeze. Whether you’re coming from New York, out of state, or even farther, you won’t have much trouble getting here.
Beyond Halloween: Discovering Jersey City
Once the trick-or-treating wraps up and haunted houses close their doors, you’ll still find plenty of things to do in Jersey City. Waterfront parks offer up those jaw-dropping Manhattan views.
Mana Contemporary, the city’s cultural hub, draws in art lovers all year. Autumn doesn’t just mean falling leaves here—it brings pop-up markets, food festivals, and lively parades.
WalletHub recently named Jersey City a Halloween hotspot. That’s not just about costumes and candy—it really speaks to the city’s commitment to safety, neighborhood spirit, and family-friendly fun.
Locals might be mapping out their costume routes, but travelers looking for something special will feel right at home. Jersey City’s got open arms, a little attitude, and—honestly—some of the best candy bowls around.
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Here is the source article for this story: These 2 N.J. cities made national ranking of best places for Halloween for 3rd year in a row
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