Is Point Pleasant Beach Safe, Pros and cons of living in Point Pleasant Beach
Point Pleasant Beach, a charming coastal borough in New Jersey, offers a unique blend of seaside tranquility and community spirit. Its picturesque boardwalk, family-friendly atmosphere, and vibrant local scene make it a desirable place to live for many. The town boasts a rich history, evident in its classic architecture and well-preserved public spaces.
The community is known for its strong sense of local pride and active resident engagement. This fosters a welcoming environment, making it an attractive destination for those seeking a close-knit suburban lifestyle with the added allure of a beach town. Point Pleasant Beach provides a quintessential New Jersey shore experience, combining natural beauty with a lively cultural fabric.
Is it Safe to Live in Point Pleasant Beach?
Point Pleasant Beach has a crime rate that is higher than the national average across all communities in America. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Point Pleasant Beach is 1 in 353, and property crime is 1 in 47 (according to NeighborhoodScout). This means that Point Pleasant Beach is not one of the safest communities in America when compared to other cities of all sizes.
Relative to New Jersey, Point Pleasant Beach has a crime rate that is higher than 87% of the state’s cities and towns of all sizes (according to NeighborhoodScout). The chance that a person will become a victim of a violent crime, such as armed robbery, aggravated assault, rape, or murder, is 1 in 353, which equates to a rate of 3 per one thousand inhabitants. Property crimes, including motor vehicle theft, arson, larceny, and burglary, have a rate of 21 per one thousand population, indicating an above-average chance of becoming a victim (according to NeighborhoodScout).
Housing and Cost of Living
The housing market in Point Pleasant Beach is characterized by its high property values and a strong homeownership rate. As of March 2026, the median listing price for a home was $1,350,000 (according to Realtor.com®). The median home value in Point Pleasant Beach was $1,068,548 in March 2026, showing a 10.0% increase over the past year (according to Zillow). The homeownership rate stands at 75.8%, which is higher than the national average (according to Data USA).
The cost of living in Point Pleasant Beach is significantly higher than the national average, particularly in housing expenses. As of May 2026, the average rent in Point Pleasant Beach is $2,104 per month, which is 28% higher than the national average (according to Rent.com). Overall living costs are 34% higher than the U.S. national average and 187% higher than New Jersey’s state average (according to Salary.com). This elevated cost is driven by soaring housing prices, elevated transportation expenses, and rising food prices (according to Salary.com).
Home Prices and Trends
Point Pleasant Beach’s real estate market is quite active, with a median sale price of $935,000 in March 2026, although this represented a 33.2% decrease compared to the previous year (according to Redfin). Properties in Point Pleasant Beach sell relatively quickly, with an average of 26 days on the market in April 2026, compared to 48 days the previous year (according to Movoto). The market is considered balanced, indicating that supply and demand for homes are roughly equal (according to Realtor.com®).
Despite recent fluctuations, the median listing price in Point Pleasant Beach was $1,350,000 in March 2026 (according to Realtor.com®). The market experienced a month-over-month home price change of -3.50% in March 2026, which could present buying opportunities (according to Realtor.com®). Year-over-year home price momentum shows a growth of 8.05%, signaling continued appreciation that benefits sellers (according to Realtor.com®).
Rental Market Insights
The rental market in Point Pleasant Beach is also notably expensive, with an average rent of $5,000 per month as of May 2026 (according to Zumper). This figure is 156% above the national average rent, making it one of the priciest markets nationally (according to Zumper). The average rent price in Point Pleasant Beach was $3,300 last month, an increase of $525 month-over-month (according to Redfin).
Rental prices vary by bedroom size, with studios averaging $1,500 per month and one-bedroom apartments around $2,200 per month (according to Zumper). Two-bedroom apartments average $5,000 per month, while three-bedroom rentals can cost $4,350 or more (according to Zumper). There is a limited total rental inventory of 56 units available as of May 2026, indicating a niche market (according to Zumper).
Job Market and Economy
Point Pleasant Beach’s economy is supported by a growing employment sector, with a 2.35% increase in employment from 2023 to 2024, reaching 2,660 employees (according to Data USA). The most common industries for residents are Health Care & Social Assistance, Retail Trade, and Construction (according to Data USA). Highest paying industries include Public Administration, Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate (according to Data USA).
The average annual salary for employees in Point Pleasant Beach is estimated to be $100,016 as of April 2026, translating to an hourly wage of approximately $48 (according to Salary.com). However, other sources indicate a median wage of $41,200 per year or $33.70 per hour for the 25th percentile of earners (according to ZipRecruiter). The average job in Point Pleasant Beach pays $58,000 a year, or $27.88 per hour (according to Zippia).
Major Employers
Several key employers contribute to the economic landscape of Point Pleasant Beach. Among the prominent companies are McDonald’s, United States Postal Service, Dollar Tree, and CVS Health (according to Indeed.com). Other significant employers include Wendy’s, Aramark, Stop and Shop Supermarket, and QuickChek (according to Indeed.com).
The borough also has a presence of financial institutions like OceanFirst Bank and real estate agencies such as Diane Turton, Realtors, which are integral to the local economy. Educational institutions also play a role, with the Point Pleasant Beach School District employing a number of individuals and serving the community’s educational needs (according to Data USA).
Unemployment Rate
The unemployment rate in New Jersey was 4.9% in March 2026, a slight decrease from the previous month (according to USAFacts). While this rate is higher than the U.S. overall unemployment rate, it reflects a dynamic job market. Data for New Jersey’s counties shows varied unemployment figures, with Cape May County having the highest rate at 12.2% and Bergen County the lowest at 4.3% in February 2026 (according to USAFacts).
Historically, New Jersey’s unemployment rate has fluctuated, with a rate of 5.2% in September, ranking it among the highest in the nation for that month (according to NJBIA). This highlights the importance of monitoring local and state employment trends for residents.
Climate and Weather
Point Pleasant Beach experiences a climate with distinct seasons, offering warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Temperatures typically range from 22°F to 86°F throughout the year, with annual precipitation averaging around 50 inches and snowfall around 22 inches (according to myPerfectWeather). The most comfortable months, with temperatures between 65°F and 86°F and low humidity, are from May to October (according to myPerfectWeather).
Summers are warm and can be wet, with July being the hottest month, seeing average highs of 79.5°F and lows of 71.2°F (according to myPerfectWeather). July also records the highest rainfall, with an average of 3.78 inches over 16.6 days (according to myPerfectWeather). Winters are cold and windy, with January being the coldest month, featuring average highs of 38.8°F and lows of 29.7°F (according to myPerfectWeather).
Seasonal Temperature and Precipitation
The temperature in Point Pleasant Beach varies significantly, with July being the warmest month and January the coldest (according to myPerfectWeather). The warm season lasts from June to September, with daily high temperatures averaging above 75°F (according to Point Pleasant Beach Climate). The cold season spans from December to March, with daily high temperatures below 49°F (according to Point Pleasant Beach Climate).
Annual precipitation measures approximately 50 inches, with December being the wettest month, receiving about 5 inches of rain (according to myPerfectWeather). Snowfall is most prominent in February, with an average of 7.8 inches, and the snowy period generally lasts from December to March (according to myPerfectWeather). There is no snowfall for eight months of the year, from April to November (according to myPerfectWeather).
Education and Schools
The Point Pleasant Beach School District is highly rated, receiving an overall Niche grade of A (according to Niche). It serves students from Pre-K through 12th grade with a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1. State test scores indicate that 51% of students are proficient in math and 71% in reading (according to Niche).
Within the district, G. Harold Antrim Elementary School and Memorial Middle School are recognized for their strong academic performance. Point Pleasant Beach High School has also received accolades, being named one of the best high schools in New Jersey by U.S. News and World Report, ranking 104th in the state in 2021 (according to Patch).
School Performance and Ratings
Point Pleasant Beach High School holds an A- rating on Niche and a 7/10 GreatSchools Rating, with a graduation rate of 95% (according to Homes.com). The school boasts strong test scores, particularly in English Language Arts, and a low student-teacher ratio of 9.7 (according to SchoolDigger.com). G. Harold Antrim Elementary School is also a high-performing institution, ranking among the top elementary schools in the state (according to SchoolDigger.com).
However, all schools in the area face challenges with relatively high chronic absenteeism rates, around 15% (according to SchoolDigger.com). Per-student spending varies, with higher-spending schools generally demonstrating better performance (according to SchoolDigger.com).
Demographics
Point Pleasant Beach is home to a population of approximately 4,860 residents as of 2024 (according to Data USA). The median age in Point Pleasant Beach is 48.5 years, with slightly more males than females (according to Data USA). The borough is predominantly White, with 83.01% identifying as White in the 2020 census (according to Wikipedia and Data USA).
The population has seen a slight increase, growing at a rate of 0.88% annually, with a population of 5,028 projected for 2026 (according to Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey Population 2026). In 2024, 13% of residents were born outside the country (according to Data USA). The median household income in Point Pleasant Beach is $141,716, with a poverty rate of 5.22% (according to Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey Population 2026).
Population Trends and Diversity
Point Pleasant Beach’s population was recorded at 4,766 in the 2020 census, showing a slight increase from previous years (according to Wikipedia). The borough is currently growing at a rate of 0.88% annually (according to Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey Population 2026). In 2024, there were 14 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents than any other race or ethnicity (according to Data USA).
While the White population is dominant, other racial and ethnic groups are present. According to the 2020 census, the racial makeup included 95.94% White, with smaller percentages for African American, Native American, Asian, Pacific Islander, and those of two or more races (according to Wikipedia). Hispanic or Latino individuals constituted 4.40% of the population (according to Wikipedia).