Is New Jersey dog friendly?

We analyzed 552 cities across New Jersey. By default, we surface the strongest cities with at least 10,000 residents, then let you switch to the full statewide ranking.

✅State Preemption Law Active: Local cities in New Jersey are legally banned from enacting breed-specific legislation against your dog.

State Average Score

36/100

Paw Score™

Top representative city: Eatontown (A+)

Derived strictly from local government data

Statewide Vet Density

2.4clinics / 10k people

Avg Walkable Days

260days without extreme weather

BSL Restricted Cities

0known local breed bans

Data Journalist Analysis

The Leaderboard Disparity

When comparing 157 representative cities (10k+ residents) in New Jersey, the leaderboard works best as a relative comparison surface, not a blanket relocation recommendation. Eatontown is the strongest performer in this 157 representative cities (10k+ residents) set with a Paw Score Grade of A+, helped by 260 walkable days per year and comparatively strong veterinary access. Short Hills lands at the bottom with a F, where sparse vet coverage, climate stress, or housing friction create a visibly weaker dog-ownership outlook.

The Hidden Pet Tax

The economic reality of renting with a dog in New Jersey fluctuates wildly depending on the municipality. While the state median for pet rent sits around $62/mo, moving to a high-demand area like Franklin Lakes can push this implicit pet tax up to $117/mo. This doesn't even account for non-refundable localized pet deposits.

Safety & Legislative Climate

New Jersey has a statewide BSL preemption law. That generally limits local governments from adopting new breed bans, which reduces policy risk for owners of commonly targeted breeds. Housing rules, enforcement practices, and older local language can still vary, so local verification still matters.

Ranked Cities in New Jersey

Defaulting to cities with at least 10,000 residents so the leaderboard feels representative. Switch to the full statewide ranking any time.

552 cities audited

Showing the first 100 of 157 representative cities in New Jersey.

State Rank	City	Paw Score	Walkable Days	Pet Rent	Vet / 10K	Population
#1	Eatontown	A+	260	$56	10	13,537
#2	Long Branch	A+	260	$61	10	32,184
#3	Asbury Park	A+	260	$59	10	15,239
#4	Freehold	A+	260	$64	10	12,504
#5	Red Bank	A+	260	$69	10	12,864
#6	Tinton Falls	A+	260	$74	10	19,252
#7	West Freehold	A+	260	$74	10	14,233
#8	Robertsville	A	260	$91	10	11,859
#9	Hopatcong	B+	219	$55	6.48	14,470
#10	Moorestown-Lenola	B	235	$52	5.42	14,523
#11	Marlton	B	235	$56	5.42	10,473
#12	Williamstown	B-	260	$44	3.61	14,855
#13	Ocean City	B-	280	$58	4.14	11,260
#14	Phillipsburg	B-	219	$39	3.77	15,251
#15	Oak Ridge	B-	219	$46	4.56	10,860
#16	Lake Hiawatha	B-	229	$50	4.56	10,406
#17	Budd Lake	B-	219	$46	4.56	10,106
#18	Glassboro	C+	260	$55	3.61	23,375
#19	Atlantic City	C+	280	$38	2.22	38,486
#20	Parsippany	C+	229	$61	4.56	21,869
#21	Lake Hopatcong	C+	219	$56	4.56	10,383
#22	Camden	C+	260	$40	2.29	71,471
#23	Dover	C+	219	$61	4.56	18,420
#24	Hackettstown	C+	219	$50	3.77	10,143
#25	Lincoln Park	C+	229	$64	4.56	10,901
#26	Pleasantville	C+	280	$46	2.22	20,604
#27	Lindenwold	C	260	$44	2.29	21,534
#28	Bellmawr	C	260	$40	2.29	11,678
#29	Morristown	C	229	$76	4.56	20,256
#30	Pine Hill	C	260	$41	2.29	10,762
#31	Trenton	C	260	$43	1.7	89,966
#32	Fairview	C	263	$56	2.88	14,920
#33	Madison	C	229	$79	4.56	16,464
#34	Hammonton	C	260	$48	2.22	14,746
#35	Somers Point	C	260	$46	2.22	10,461
#36	Sicklerville	C	260	$55	2.29	44,500
#37	Garfield	C	240	$56	2.88	32,502
#38	Cliffside Park	C	263	$62	2.88	25,580
#39	Springdale	C	235	$42	2.29	15,672
#40	Collingswood	C	260	$50	2.29	14,163
#41	Elizabeth	C	249	$51	1.9	135,887
#42	Toms River	C	260	$59	2.15	93,915
#43	Lakewood	C	260	$58	2.15	69,884
#44	Vineland	C	227	$42	1.52	60,692
#45	Old Bridge	C	260	$50	1.92	28,015
#46	Oakland	C	229	$51	2.88	12,700
#47	Gloucester City	C	260	$52	2.29	11,465
#48	Hackensack	C	240	$63	2.88	45,768
#49	Lodi	C	240	$59	2.88	25,946
#50	Hasbrouck Heights	C	240	$56	2.88	12,067
#51	Wallington	C	240	$55	2.88	11,825
#52	Bergenfield	C	240	$61	2.88	28,269
#53	Ridgefield Park	C	240	$57	2.88	13,167
#54	Paterson	C	240	$51	1.65	157,660
#55	New Milford	C	240	$60	2.88	16,882
#56	North Arlington	C	240	$60	2.88	16,368
#57	Newark	C	249	$47	1.04	307,188
#58	Passaic	C	240	$49	1.65	69,651
#59	Millville	C	227	$42	1.52	27,432
#60	Dumont	C	240	$62	2.88	18,072
#61	Holiday City-Berkeley	C	260	$55	2.15	12,896
#62	Westmont	C-	260	$60	2.29	13,870
#63	Echelon	C	260	$59	2.29	13,577
#64	Hillsdale	C-	240	$60	2.88	10,086
#65	Perth Amboy	C-	249	$57	1.92	55,278
#66	Fair Lawn	C-	240	$67	2.88	35,153
#67	Englewood	C-	240	$67	2.88	29,342
#68	Roselle	C-	249	$52	1.9	22,455
#69	Sayreville	C-	249	$57	1.92	45,237
#70	North Plainfield	C-	216	$58	2.63	22,667
#71	Rutherford	C-	240	$65	2.88	18,748
#72	Haddonfield	C-	260	$62	2.29	12,502
#73	River Edge	C-	240	$63	2.88	12,024
#74	Little Ferry	C-	240	$63	2.88	10,942
#75	McKee City	C-	260	$61	2.22	10,843
#76	Bridgeton	C-	227	$48	1.52	26,836
#77	Linden	C-	249	$59	1.9	43,614
#78	Palisades Park	C-	240	$69	2.88	20,192
#79	East Rutherford	C-	240	$65	2.88	10,154
#80	Clifton	C-	240	$58	1.65	89,247
#81	Roselle Park	C-	249	$55	1.9	13,965
#82	Pennsville	C-	238	$43	1.03	12,238
#83	Wood-Ridge	C-	240	$66	2.88	10,094
#84	East Orange	C-	249	$48	1.04	69,183
#85	Elmwood Park	C-	240	$71	2.88	21,287
#86	Glen Rock	C-	240	$68	2.88	12,082
#87	Ridgefield	C-	240	$68	2.88	11,439
#88	Maywood	C-	240	$68	2.88	10,042
#89	Somerville	C-	216	$61	2.63	12,958
#90	Union City	C-	263	$52	0.86	66,375
#91	Rahway	C-	249	$62	1.9	29,748
#92	Hillsborough	C-	216	$66	2.63	22,302
#93	Point Pleasant	C-	260	$69	2.15	19,158
#94	White Horse	C-	260	$57	1.7	10,040
#95	Fort Lee	C-	240	$79	2.88	39,818
#96	Cherry Hill Mall	C-	260	$72	2.29	14,827
#97	Ramsey	C-	229	$70	2.88	14,722
#98	Mercerville	C-	260	$60	1.7	13,693
#99	Bound Brook	C-	216	$64	2.63	12,023
#100	East Franklin	C-	216	$63	2.63	10,281

Frequently Asked Questions

In the default 157 representative cities (10k+ residents) view, Eatontown currently ranks first in New Jersey. It posts a Paw Score grade of A+, supported by 260 walkable days per year, comparatively solid vet access, and more manageable pet housing costs than many competing cities.

The cost varies, but the median pet rent surcharge across New Jersey is approximately $62 per month. This is an extra fee piled onto your base rent, not including the one-time, often non-refundable, pet deposit. Renters with large breeds often face higher fees or outright exclusion in denser metro areas.

New Jersey has a statewide Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL) preemption law. That generally blocks local governments from adopting new breed bans, but you should still confirm local enforcement and housing rules before moving.