Is Matawan Safe, Pros and cons of living in Matawan

Matawan, New Jersey, offers a blend of suburban tranquility and convenient access to the New York metropolitan area. This Monmouth County borough is recognized as a desirable place to live, particularly for families and young professionals seeking a community atmosphere with essential amenities close at hand. Its location provides a balance between a relaxed pace of life and the opportunities of a major urban center.

The town boasts a strong sense of community and is known for its welcoming neighborhoods. Residents appreciate the proximity to various shops, services, and recreational facilities, which contribute to an easy and stress-free daily life. Matawan’s appeal is further enhanced by its numerous outdoor spaces, offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation.

Is it Safe to Live in Matawan?

Matawan is considered a safe community with a crime rate significantly lower than both the national and state averages. NeighborhoodScout reports that the borough’s overall crime rate is exceptionally low, placing it among the safest places of its size in the nation. This low crime rate contributes to a strong sense of security for its residents.

Specifically, violent crime rates in Matawan are remarkably low, with reports indicating zero violent crimes per 1,000 residents. Property crimes, including burglary, theft, and vehicle theft, are also uncommon, further reinforcing Matawan’s reputation as a secure place to reside. The cost of crime per resident is also notably lower than the state and national averages.

Housing Costs and Real Estate Market

The real estate market in Matawan presents a solid entry point for buyers, with a median listing price of $495,000. The median home value in Matawan is $467,800, which is higher than the national average of $332,700. This figure represents a 4.65% increase from the previous year, indicating a stable and appreciating market.

While the median home value is above the national average, it offers considerable value within the broader New Jersey real estate landscape. The homeownership rate in Matawan is approximately 51.9%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%. This suggests a significant portion of residents choose to rent, contributing to a dynamic rental market.

Rental Market Trends

The rental market in Matawan shows steady demand, with a median rent price of $2,505 per month as of April 2026. This is 29% higher than the national average. Other reports indicate an average rent of $2,014 per month, which is 23% higher than the national average. Rental prices have seen a slight increase, with some sources noting a 2.62% rise over the past year, bringing the average rent to $2,216.

For specific apartment types, a studio typically rents for around $1,762 per month, a one-bedroom for approximately $2,014, and a two-bedroom for about $2,469. Three-bedroom rentals can exceed $2,996 per month. These figures suggest that while Matawan offers a desirable living environment, housing costs, both for ownership and rental, are above the national average.

Cost of Living

The overall cost of living in Matawan, New Jersey, is higher than the national average. Estimates place it around 23% higher than the national average, and some sources indicate it can be as much as 32% higher. This is largely driven by housing expenses, which are substantially higher than the national average.

Beyond housing, other cost categories also contribute to Matawan’s elevated cost of living. Utility prices are slightly higher than the national average. Transportation expenses, including gas prices and public transit fares, are also above the national average. Grocery prices are marginally higher, while healthcare costs are notably more expensive, being 17% higher than the national average.

Factors Influencing Cost

Several factors contribute to Matawan’s cost of living. Housing expenses are a primary driver, being 82% higher than the national average. While some data suggests housing costs are 7.0% lower than the national average at $1,116 per month for a single person, this appears to be an outlier compared to other reports. Food expenses are also about 2% higher than the national average.

Transportation costs are approximately 5% higher than the national average. Utilities are 3% higher than the national average. These combined expenses mean that a single person might expect monthly living costs around $3,214, and a family of four could face expenses of approximately $7,077 per month.

Job Market and Economy

Matawan’s economy is robust, with a growing employment sector. In 2024, employment in Matawan saw a growth rate of 4.09%, increasing the number of employed residents to 5,369. The most common industries employing Matawan residents include construction, professional, scientific, and technical services, and educational services.

The job market is diverse, with key employment sectors showing strength. Residents are most commonly employed in office and administrative support, management, and sales-related occupations. The highest-paying industries in Matawan include real estate, information services, and finance and insurance.

Major Employers

Several key companies contribute to Matawan’s employment landscape. K. Hovnanian Homes is a significant player in the real estate sector, involved in all aspects of home marketing, construction, and sales. Other notable companies include Enterprise Iron, Denholtz Properties, V12, XCEL, and Duferco, representing various sectors of the economy.

Additionally, national companies like Oracle and Lawn Doctor have a presence in Matawan, offering diverse employment opportunities. These major employers, along with a range of other businesses, contribute to the stability and growth of the local job market.

Salary and Unemployment

The median household income in Matawan is substantially higher than the national average. In 2024, it stood at $123,354, significantly exceeding the national median of $80,734. This reflects a prosperous economic environment for residents.

The unemployment rate in Matawan is also favorable, being 8% lower than the national average (according to AreaVibes). While specific local unemployment figures are not consistently available across all sources, general data suggests a strong job market with ample opportunities for residents. The average annual pay for full-time work in Matawan is approximately $37,601, with most full-time salaries ranging between $33,100 and $40,800.

Climate and Weather

Matawan experiences a humid continental climate with hot summers and very cold, snowy winters. Temperatures throughout the year typically range from 23°F to 87°F, rarely dropping below 13°F or exceeding 94°F. The town enjoys a comfortable climate for a significant portion of the year, with approximately 158 days considered to have pleasant weather.

Summers are warm, humid, and wet, with July being the hottest month. Average high temperatures in July reach about 85.8°F, with lows around 67.5°F. Winters are very cold, snowy, and windy, with January being the coldest month. January temperatures average a high of 40.4°F and a low of 24.7°F.

Precipitation and Seasonal Patterns

Annual precipitation in Matawan averages around 48.14 inches. July is typically the rainiest month, accumulating about 4.59 inches of precipitation. Conversely, January is the driest month, with approximately 3.69 inches of rainfall.

Snowfall is common during the winter months, generally occurring from January through April, and again in November and December. The average annual snowfall is around 27 inches, with February often seeing the most snow. The town experiences roughly 153 rainfall days per year.

Education and Schools

Matawan is served by the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District, which is highly rated and considered one of the best places to live in New Jersey. The district ranks within the top 50% of all school districts in New Jersey based on combined math and reading proficiency testing data. Public schools in Matawan generally receive good to excellent ratings.

Matawan Regional High School is a key institution within the district, serving grades 9-12. It has consistently ranked in the top half of New Jersey high schools and generally performs above the state average in assessments. The district’s graduation rate is 86%, and it boasts strong math and reading proficiency scores compared to the state average.

School Performance and Rankings

The Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District has an average testing ranking of 6 out of 10, placing it in the top 50% of New Jersey public schools. The district’s math proficiency is at 42%, exceeding the New Jersey average of 38%, and its reading proficiency is 56%, surpassing the state average of 49%. Several specialized high schools in the broader region, such as High Technology High School and Biotechnology High School, also receive high ratings.

Matawan Regional High School itself has a strong academic reputation, with performance metrics generally above the state average, particularly in English Language Arts and Geometry. The school also demonstrates a strong four-year graduation rate, typically between 85% and 91.3%, and a low dropout rate.

Demographics and Population

Matawan has a population of approximately 9,710 residents as of 2024, with projections indicating growth. The borough is growing at a rate of about 0.5% annually. The median age in Matawan is 34.7 years.

The racial makeup of Matawan is diverse. White residents constitute the largest group, making up approximately 66.21% of the population, followed by Black or African American residents at 12.29%. Hispanic or Latino individuals represent about 15.8% of the population. Other racial groups, including Asian and Native American, are present in smaller percentages.

Household and Age Demographics

Matawan has a median household income of $123,354. The poverty rate is approximately 10.52%. The population is distributed across various age groups, with a significant portion in the 25-54 age range. The median age for males is 31.7 years, and for females, it is 36.5 years.

Households in Matawan average two members. Approximately 64.8% of households are families, while 35.2% are individuals living alone or with non-relatives. Citizenship is high, with 98.8% of residents being U.S. citizens.