Thinking about moving to Hoboken, NJ? You’re making a great choice. While it might have a reputation for being a college town thanks to the presence of Stevens Institute of Technology, there’s more to it than bars. Hoboken is a small city with easy access to the Big Apple, tons of work and a thriving culture. Read on to learn more about why you should move to Hoboken.
Fun Facts About Hoboken
It’s the Birthplace of Baseball, and MORE
The first true American Baseball game was played in Hoboken in 1846 between the New York Nine and the New York Knickerbockers. The Knickerbockers were the team of Alexander Cartwright, who is credited with inventing the all-American pastime. While the original field no longer exists, there are plaques located on the four corners between 10th and 11th and Washington, representing the four bases that mark 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and home.
But sports fans aren’t the only beneficiaries of Hoboken’s history. Here’s 3 other famous American creations that got their start in Hoboken:
- Oreos, first sold down on Washington Street by the National Biscuit Company.
- The Zipper, invented by Hoboken native Whitcomb Judson in the 1890s.
- The American Brewery, the first of which was opened in Hoboken in 1642.
Hoboken’s Famous Residents, Past and Present
There are a lot of celebrities that call Hoboken home- many more than we could list here. Suffice it to say, without Hoboken, we wouldn’t have the musical stylings of Frank Sinatra, and we might’ve missed out on the stunning photography of Dorothea Lange. Today, Hoboken is also the home of football player Eli Manning, and gave TLC celeb Buddy Valastro (a Hoboken native) his start.
It’s the Hipster Capital of America
Not Brooklyn, or Portland, or anywhere in California. That’s right, Hoboken has earned the title of Hipster Capital of America, at least according to FindtheBest.com. How’d this New Jersey city win? First off, it met all the qualifications: Hoboken is home to more than 50,000 people, has a large number of 24-30 year-old residents, and a good proportion of bachelor’s degree recipients. Then the site used a sophisticated calculation to judge the winner: they multiplied the number of coffee shops by the number of yoga studios (each per 10,000 residents). Highly scientific, right?
Schools in Hoboken
There are a total of 36 schools in Hoboken, between public and private institutions. One of the best private high schools in New Jersey is in Hoboken. The Hudson School caters to children from 5th to 12th grade. The school’s mission is to “develop compassionate, responsible, principled citizens who are socially conscious and committed to lifelong learning and service.” Students have to pass an entrance exam to gain access to this exclusive school, which only enrolls 178 students today.
College-age students in Hoboken benefit from a huge number of colleges and universities nearby. Hoboken itself is home to the Stevens Institute of Technology, a highly respected private research university. Plus, with Manhattan just minutes away, kids in Hoboken have access to some of the nation’s top undergraduate programs.
Hoboken Jobs
Professionals in Hoboken may benefit even more than students in this thriving city. The median household income in Hoboken is a stunning $118,479, more than double the national median of $55,322. As of 2023, the minimum wage for Hoboken is $14.13, which is much higher than the national average. However, most jobs provide more than minimum wage.
Jobs in Hoboken are plentiful and growing; there were 35,382 jobs offered in Hoboken in 2016, a 34% growth from 2015. The top employers in Hoboken are in the Professional Services, Finance and Education industries. And of course, the easy commute into Manhattan means that Hoboken residents have access to thousands of NYC job opportunities as well.
What’s the Weather Like in Hoboken?
The average weather in Hoboken varies throughout the year. Hoboken residents get to experience all four seasons, along with average temperatures as high as 93 degrees, and as low as just 14 degrees. In Hoboken, it rains every month, and most months get at least 3 inches of rainfall. Hoboken also gets an average of 26 inches of snow; the city is also often affected by the same Nor’Easters, hurricanes, and other weather events that impact neighboring New York.
One of the biggest drawbacks of living in Hoboken is that it often floods due to its low-lying land. While there are some locations in the city that don’t flood as often, Hoboken is only 1.25 square miles large so there won’t be too many locations that are safe from floods. Your best bet is to avoid basement and first floor apartments.
Hoboken’s Cost of Living
We won’t sugarcoat it: living in Hoboken is expensive. The cost of living in Hoboken received an “F” rating from AreaVibes.com, and it’s no wonder why. Everything here is more expensive than the national average, by a large margin. Goods and services are 49% more expensive than the national average; groceries are 38% more, healthcare is 15% more, and transportation is 30% more.
Perhaps the most expensive living costs in Hoboken, however, are the housing costs. The median home value in Hoboken is $621,300. That’s almost 210% higher than the national median! A recent study ranked Hoboken as the 15th most expensive city in the United States. Most residents are renters as the costs for owning a house can be outrageous. Not only do you have to deal with a high monthly mortgage, you also have high property taxes. Still, if you want something a bit more affordable, try Downtown Hoboken. Rents and home prices tend to be cheaper than by the waterside and you’ll have easy access to public transportation.
Utilities are also about 18% more than the national average. It’s likely that these costs are so high because Hoboken is a safe city with tons of jobs and easy access to Manhattan. The high median household income does help, but it’s important to consider the expense of moving to Hoboken before you make a final decision to come here.
Still, there are plenty of perks to living in Hoboken. You get the amazing views of the Manhattan skyline, access to beautiful parks, delicious restaurants, and plenty of entertainment in the city or just a short PATH train ride away. And if you compare the cost of living to Manhattan, you’ll find that you’ll have a larger apartment for the same price and you’ll be saving more money because you’ll have lower income tax and sales tax.
How Many People Live in Hoboken?
There are more than 53,000 people living in Hoboken today. The median age in Hoboken is just 30.3 years old, and there are a ton of residents between the ages of 24-30 (32.2% of the Hoboken population to be precise). In fact, the overwhelming majority of Hoboken residents are between 18 and 54; kids under 18 make up just 13.8% of the population, and folks over 60 years of age make up just 6.5% of the Hoboken population.
Most of the Hoboken population is white, but 15% of the population is Hispanic, and 8.7% is of Asian descent. The black population in Hoboken is very small, making up just 1.7% of the total number of residents. After English, the most common language spoken in Hoboken is Spanish; 8.2% of the people living in Hoboken speak Spanish.
Despite the young age of the city, and the fact that only 39% of Hoboken residents are married, 44% of the Hoboken population are families with kids under 18, which is almost the same as the national average. People in Hoboken are also highly educated; 94% of people here who are older than 25 have finished high school, and 78% have also gone on to receive a bachelor’s degree or professional degree.
Best Places to Live in Hoboken
The city of Hoboken is just 1.25 square miles large. That means that you aren’t going to find a bunch of neighborhoods in Hoboken to choose from. Choosing where to live in Hoboken is more about choosing the street you want to be on more than anything else. Luckily, the whole town is well known for great housing options, and a lack of violent crime, making Hoboken one of the safest urban areas you’ll encounter in the U.S.
When you’re choosing the best place to live in Hoboken for you, take into consideration a few things. Parking in Hoboken, while cheap for residents, is notoriously hard to find, so you may want to consider apartments or condos in Hoboken that have private parking available. If you’re planning to work in Manhattan, you might want to find housing in Hoboken that’s near the PATH train or the ferry if you want to enjoy a view of the Hudson every day!
Things to do in Hoboken
If you’re looking for fun things to do in Hoboken, this city won’t disappoint. On a gorgeous day, be sure to check out the Waterfront Walkway, for a beautiful view of the Hudson River and NYC. You can also enjoy Pier A Park, which is literally on the water, and offers tons of space for picnics and walking, and fishing right along the river! Or head on over to Sinatra Park during the summer months to rent a free kayak and paddle around the Hudson.
The nightlife in Hoboken is movin’ and groovin’. After all, as the birthplace of American breweries, is it any surprise that Hoboken is home to some amazing bars, taverns and clubs? Most of the bars and clubs are located between Washington Street and Sinatra Drive, so it’s easy to bar hop. Go enjoy some karaoke first and then head over to a nightclub to discover an up-and-coming DJ. And of course, you can also always grab the train or subway and ride your way into Manhattan to enjoy everything from a Broadway Musical, to thousands of amazing restaurants, and some of the best shopping in America.
If you’re more into the arts, you won’t be disappointed if you live in Hoboken. The city offers art galleries, museums, and artistic spaces. Some of the most popular spaces include Barsky Gallery and Mana Contemporary. However, you might stumble upon a small art gallery at local coffee shops, so keep your eyes peeled.
For a great date night, you can enjoy some theater and either the Miles Square Theatre or White Eagle Hall. Both have year round performances to enjoy. And White Eagle Hall also has live music and even doubles as a dining venue.
Moving to Hoboken
See why we love Hoboken? It’s the closest you’ll get to NYC in NJ, and has all the benefits of the 5 boroughs, along with waterfront views, a rich history and great people. So if you choose to move here, congrats and welcome home! We know you’re going to love it.
Before you move to Hoboken, make sure to visit the city’s helpful Moving to Hoboken site. It provides convenient contacts and links for utilities as well as information on recycling and garbage pick-up and parking. You can even reserve on-street parking for a moving truck by renting a temporary “No Parking” sign for around $15 for 4 hours.
Want to learn more about moving to Hoboken? Call NYC Great Movers today at (732) 444-7077 to speak with a courteous staff member who can answer all your questions, and provide a free Hoboken moving quote.
FAQ
How much can I expect to pay in rent in Hoboken?
Rents vary, but the average price for a 1 bedroom apartment is about $3,000. With that said, you’re getting a true one bedroom with a living room, kitchen, and bedroom.
Does the city have all the amenities I need such as a grocery store, laundromat, etc.?
It sure does, and there are multiple options to choose from. There’s a Trader Joe’s and ShopRite in the area along with Kings Food Market. When it comes to laundromats, you can find ones that have the machines or drop off services. And, of course, you can find bodegas, gyms, coffee shops, and more.
Can I get to other parts of New Jersey by public transportation from Hoboken?
You sure can. You can hop on the path to travel to Jersey City. If you want to go further into New Jersey, you can hop on the Light Rail and travel to Bayonne or Newport. You can even transfer at different stations to make it to Newark, Edgewater, and more.
