Hardest Water in New Jersey
22 cities ranked by water hardness. Princeton tops the list at 70 PPM.
New Jersey's water hardness varies significantly by city and water source. The state average across our database is 45 PPM, which is relatively soft. Most homes do not need a water softener. 0% of cities we track in New Jersey have hardness above 120 PPM.
Atlantic City has the softest water at just 25 PPM. No softener is needed.
| # | City | PPM | GPG | Level | Softener? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Princeton | 70 | 4.1 | Moderately Hard | Optional |
| 2 | Elizabeth | 64 | 3.7 | Moderately Hard | Optional |
| 3 | Hoboken | 61 | 3.6 | Moderately Hard | Optional |
| 4 | Morristown | 60 | 3.5 | Moderately Hard | Optional |
| 5 | Hackensack | 60 | 3.5 | Moderately Hard | Optional |
| 6 | Edison | 55 | 3.2 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 7 | Piscataway | 55 | 3.2 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 8 | Lawrence Township | 55 | 3.2 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 9 | Woodbridge | 50 | 2.9 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 10 | Perth Amboy | 50 | 2.9 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 11 | New Brunswick | 48 | 2.8 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 12 | Clifton | 45 | 2.6 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 13 | Mount Holly | 45 | 2.6 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 14 | Paterson | 41 | 2.4 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 15 | Jersey City | 39 | 2.3 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 16 | Toms River | 32 | 1.9 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 17 | Newark | 30 | 1.8 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 18 | Vineland | 30 | 1.8 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 19 | Bayonne | 30 | 1.8 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 20 | Lakewood | 28 | 1.6 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 21 | Trenton | 27 | 1.6 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 22 | Atlantic City | 25 | 1.5 | Slightly Hard | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average water hardness in New Jersey?
Across 22 cities in our database, the average water hardness in New Jersey is 45 PPM (2.6 GPG). This ranges from 25 PPM in Atlantic City to 70 PPM in Princeton.
Do I need a water softener in New Jersey?
It depends on your city. 0% of New Jersey cities in our database (0 of 22) have hardness above 120 PPM where a softener provides measurable benefit. Check your specific city above.
Which New Jersey city has the softest water?
Atlantic City has the softest water in New Jersey at 25 PPM (1.5 GPG). No water softener is needed at this level.
What causes hard water in New Jersey?
Hard water in New Jersey is caused by dissolved calcium and magnesium from the local geology. Most of the state has favorable geology with granite, metamorphic, or volcanic rock that contributes minimal dissolved minerals.