If you are looking at a map of Essex County and trying to pick a town with a direct train to Manhattan, you have probably narrowed it down to two names. Montclair and Maplewood.
They sit about 5 miles apart. They share the same train line. They both have historic homes and walkable downtowns. People moving out of Brooklyn or Queens usually put both on their shortlist.
But they feel entirely different once you actually live there. One is bigger, busier, and packed with restaurants. The other is smaller, quieter, and feels like a village frozen in time.
If you are still mapping out your options across the state, you should read our master guide to the best nj towns near nyc first. If you are locked in on Essex County, here is the honest breakdown of what it is like to live in both.
Is Maplewood NJ a Good Place to Live?
Short answer: Yes.
Maplewood has a rating of 4.09 out of 5 on Niche, and residents consistently praise the town for its diversity, safety, and strong sense of community. It is a fantastic place to raise a family.
The town covers just under 4 square miles and has roughly 25,000 residents. It is about half the size of Montclair. Because the houses are closer together, neighbors actually know each other. Locals often talk about the block parties that happen almost every weekend in the spring and fall.
If you want a tight-knit community feel and a walkable downtown village right next to the train station, Maplewood is hard to beat.
The Commute: Midtown Direct Showdown
If you are moving to Essex County, you want the Midtown Direct train. This is the NJ Transit service that takes you straight into New York Penn Station without forcing you to transfer at Newark.
Both towns have it. But the experience is slightly different.
Maplewood: The Single-Stop Village
Maplewood has one main train station right in the center of town. The train ride to Penn Station takes about 35 to 40 minutes during peak hours.
Because the station is right next to the downtown village, you can walk off the train, grab a coffee, and be home in 5 minutes. It is the classic suburban dream.
The only downside is parking. If you do not live within walking distance of the station, the commuter lots fill up early. You need to plan for this.
Montclair: Multiple Stations, More Options
Montclair is a much larger town, and it has multiple NJ Transit stations (Bay Street, Walnut Street, Watchung Avenue, and Upper Montclair).
The commute time depends entirely on which station you use. From the southernmost station (Bay Street), the fastest trains to Penn Station run about 38 to 40 minutes. From Upper Montclair or Mountain Avenue, you are looking at 45 to 55 minutes depending on whether your train goes direct or makes additional stops.
If you live in Montclair, you might not be able to walk to your train station. You might have to drive to the lot, take a local bus, or walk 15 minutes. The commute is still good. It just takes a bit more planning than Maplewood.
The Cost of Living in Montclair NJ vs Maplewood
This is where the two towns split the most. The cost of living in Montclair is noticeably higher than in Maplewood.
Real Estate Prices
The housing market in both towns is highly competitive. Bidding wars are common. Buyers frequently pay over the asking price.
According to Redfin data, the median sale price of a home in Maplewood was right around $1.0 million. The median sale price per square foot is $503.
In Montclair, the median home price is closer to $1.1 million, according to 2025 data from the New Jersey Real Estate Network.
You get more house for your money in Maplewood. The housing stock in Maplewood is generally made up of smaller residences on smaller lots. Montclair has more massive estates and larger colonials.
Property Taxes
New Jersey property taxes are notoriously high. Essex County has some of the highest average tax bills in the state.
Maplewood’s effective property tax rate is roughly 2.29%, according to data from Ownwell. That is actually lower than the New Jersey state median of 2.88%.
Property tax rates in Montclair are similar, sitting around 2.8% to 2.9%.
Because Montclair’s median home price is higher, the actual dollar amount you pay in taxes will usually be higher in Montclair. But both towns will cost you a significant amount every year. You have to budget for this.
If you want to compare these numbers to the rest of the state, check out the tax data in our main nj towns near nyc guide.
The Schools: Montclair vs. Maplewood
Both towns have strong public school systems, but they operate differently.
Montclair Public Schools
Montclair’s district ranks #21 in New Jersey. The district is large (about 6,800 students) and highly diverse. The town is known for its magnet school system, which allows students to apply to specialized programs across the district rather than just attending their neighborhood school.
The graduation rate is 95%, and about 90% of students attend a 4-year university after graduating. Montclair High School earns a 7/10 from GreatSchools.
South Orange-Maplewood School District
Maplewood shares its school district with its neighbor, South Orange. The district ranks #45 in New Jersey and has about 6,400 students.
The graduation rate is 93%, and 88% of students attend a 4-year university. Columbia High School, which serves both towns, earns a 6/10 from GreatSchools.
The academics are solid. But some residents on Niche note that the disciplinary measures in the schools are not always up to par. It is a common trade-off in larger public school systems.
If you are buying a house specifically for the school district, Montclair has a slight edge in the rankings. But both districts will get your kids into good colleges.
The Vibe: Bloomfield Avenue vs. Maplewood Village
The downtown areas are completely different. This is what will ultimately make you pick one town over the other.
Montclair: Bloomfield Avenue
Montclair has Bloomfield Avenue. It is a long, sprawling commercial strip that cuts through the center of town. It feels urban. It feels busy.
You get over 85 restaurants and bars. You get the Montclair Art Museum, indie film theaters, and high-end boutiques. You get the annual Montclair Film Festival and the jazz festival.
If you want to walk out your door and have 20 different dinner options, Montclair is the move. It has a cosmopolitan, progressive energy. It is the closest thing to Brooklyn you can get without paying NYC taxes.
Maplewood: The Village
Maplewood has a downtown area that locals simply call “The Village.” It is a single, historic block right next to the train station.
It is small. It is charming. You have a local bookstore, a toy store, a diner, a coffee shop, and a few great restaurants (like Osteria LK). There is a historic movie theater.
It is a “village in the suburbs.” You will run into your neighbors here. It is quiet and intentional.
If you want a walkable downtown where you can actually know the shop owners, pick Maplewood.
What It’s Like Living in Upper Montclair NJ
If you choose Montclair, you have to decide which part of town you want. The town is often split into Upper Montclair and the rest of the town (centered around Bloomfield Avenue).
Upper Montclair has its own train station, its own downtown strip (Valley Road), and a slightly more suburban feel. It is closer to the Montclair State University campus and Brookdale Park.
The houses here are large. The property taxes are high. The commute to the city is a bit longer (45 to 55 minutes).
But the vibe is quieter than downtown Montclair. You still get great restaurants and coffee shops, but you don’t have to deal with the heavy foot traffic of Bloomfield Avenue.
The Pros and Cons of Living in Montclair NJ
To summarize the decision, here is the most honest list of pros and cons for living in Montclair.
Pros of Living in Montclair NJ
- The Food and Arts Scene: You have access to more restaurants, galleries, and cultural events than any other suburb in the area.
- The Train Line: Multiple NJ Transit stations give you flexibility.
- The Schools: Montclair has a slightly higher school ranking and a strong magnet program.
- Diversity: Montclair is one of the most diverse towns in the state.
Cons of Living in Montclair NJ
- The Price: You will pay more for housing, and your property taxes will be higher.
- The Traffic: Bloomfield Avenue gets crowded. Parking can be a nightmare.
- The Density: It feels more like a city than a quiet suburb. If you want a big yard and total silence, you might not like it here.
The Pros and Cons of Living in Maplewood NJ
Pros of Living in Maplewood NJ
- The Community: Maplewood is famous for its tight-knit community and abundant block parties.
- The Village: The downtown area is incredibly walkable, safe, and charming.
- The Commute: The single train station makes commuting predictable, and the ride is 35 to 40 minutes.
- The Price: It is slightly more affordable than Montclair (though still expensive).
Cons of Living in Maplewood NJ
- The Taxes: Even with a lower rate, the dollar amount is still high.
- The Schools: The district is good, but it ranks lower than Montclair’s and has faced some recent budget challenges.
- The Size: It is a small town. If you want a huge variety of restaurants and nightlife, you will have to drive to Montclair or South Orange.
So, Which Town Should You Choose?
You are not going to make a bad choice here. Both towns are fantastic.
Choose Maplewood if:
- You want a smaller, quiet, village-like community.
- You want to walk to the train station and the coffee shop in 5 minutes.
- You want a slightly lower entry price for a house.
- You value block parties and a tight-knit neighborhood feel over a busy dining scene.
Choose Montclair if:
- You want a bigger, more urban lifestyle with tons of restaurants and bars.
- You have a larger budget for housing and taxes.
- You want multiple train stations to choose from.
- You want the highest-ranked public schools in the area.
If you want to see how these two compare to towns like Summit, Ridgewood, or Hoboken, go back to our master list of nj towns near nyc. It has the data you need to widen your search.
FAQ
Is Maplewood NJ a good place to live?
Yes. Maplewood is highly rated by residents for its strong sense of community, walkable downtown village, and easy commute to Manhattan. It is a great place for families.
Is Maplewood cheaper than Montclair?
Yes. The median home price in Maplewood is generally lower than in Montclair. You get more house for your money in Maplewood, though property taxes are still high in both towns.
Which town has a better commute to NYC?
They are roughly equal. Both towns sit on the NJ Transit Morris & Essex line with Midtown Direct service. Maplewood’s single station is easy to use, while Montclair has multiple stations to choose from. The train ride takes about 35 to 45 minutes from either town.
Are the schools in Montclair better than Maplewood?
Montclair’s school district generally ranks higher in state and national listings. However, the South Orange-Maplewood district is also well-regarded, and both send a high percentage of graduates to 4-year universities.
What is the vibe of downtown Maplewood?
Maplewood’s downtown is known as “The Village.” It is a small, historic block with independent shops, a bookstore, a movie theater, and a few great restaurants. It is very walkable and quiet.
Is Montclair a walkable town?
Yes, Bloomfield Avenue is very walkable, but Montclair is a larger town. You might need a car or a local bus to get to the train station depending on where you live. Maplewood is generally considered more centrally walkable because the downtown and train station are right next to each other.