Livingston, New Jersey
A spacious, family-focused Essex County township with some of the best public schools in New Jersey, generous lots, and a direct commuter coach into Manhattan.
Space to breathe – real yards, mature trees,and spacious lots on nearly every street, rare this close to NYC.
Direct express coach – Community Coach #77 runs direct from the Livingston Mall to Port Authority in about 50–60 minutes, single-seat, no transfers.
Top-tier schools – Livingston Public Schools rank in the top 20% statewide, with Livingston High ranked #20 Best Public HS in NJ (U.S. News, 2025).
Ideal for – families and NYC relocators prioritizing space, top schools,and room to grow. See our Livingston selling guide for sellers, or get a home value estimate.
Space, Schools,and Substance: Living in Livingston, NJ
Encompassing a broad, tree-lined township in Central Essex County, Livingston is prized for what it generously offers: space. Homes sit on real lots with mature trees, spacious yards,and room to grow, a rarity this close to NYC. Unlike flashier Essex County towns, Livingston doesn't chase a boutique downtown or a historic-district spotlight. Its appeal is substance: some of the best public schools in New Jersey, a family-focused community,and a housing stock that pairs generous space with solid construction.
Buyers come to Livingston primarily for thee schools,and the quality of life that comes with them. The mix of housing styles, from mid-century ranches,and split-levels to grand colonials,and newer estate construction, means there is a genuine range of price points across the township, though well-located, updated homes continue to command premiums.
Commuter Logistics: The Direct Coach into Manhattan
For professional commuters, Livingston provides a straightforward and relaxing route straight into NYC, though it does require planning:
- Community Coach #77: The most popular option. A comfortable motorcoach runs directly from the Livingston Mall to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan. The ride takes 50–60 minutes,and it is a single-seat, direct trip, no transfers, no switching trains.
- Livingston Express Shuttle: A free municipal shuttle runs from the Livingston Mall, with free commuter parking, to the South Orange Train Station. From there, you can catch NJ Transit's Midtown Direct trains into Penn Station. Total door-to-door time: roughly 60–75 minutes.
- Nearby train stations: Many Livingston residents also drive to nearby stations in Millburn, Short Hills, Summit, or South Orange, all offering NJ Transit Midtown Direct service to Penn Station.
A Top-Ranked School System: Livingston Public Schools
Another major catalyst driving buyers to Livingston is its top-ranked **independent public school system**. Operating with deep local funding, Livingston Public Schools rank consistently among the absolute top of New Jersey education. The nine public schools serve approximately6,400 students, with strong STEM programs,and Blue Ribbon recognition,and testing scores rated 10/10 (Public School Review,2025–26).
Because of thee district's caliber, students benefit from professional, highly qualified educators, deeply specialized advanced-placement offerings,and highly competitive scholastic sports,and arts programming. This high-resource public academic setting creates an outstanding foundation for student success,and helps explain why families prioritize Livingston when choosing where to settle down.
Signature Colonials
The two-story colonial is the signature Livingston home,usually set on a spacious lot with a yard and driveway. Most of the core family market lands in the $800K–$1.2M range for well-kept three- to four-bedroom homes.
Coach & Shuttle Commute
Community Coach #77 runs direct from the Livingston Mall to Port Authority in about 50–60 minutes,and a free municipal shuttle ties the mall to South Orange's Midtown Direct rail. No train station sits in town, so plan your commute around the coach ecosystem.
What Homes Actually Sell For
List prices are a strategy, not a ceiling. Per Redfin's 07039 market data,ther three-month median sale price sits near $1.2M (up roughly 3.5% year over year;ther latest monthly read sits near $1.3M),with a ~103.4% sale-to-list ratioand homes averaging about 19 days on market. Homes range from ~$650K for older ranches,and smaller colonials,to $1.2M–$1.8M+ for executive estates,and newer construction on premium lots. Ther core family single-family market spans roughly $800K–$1.2M. About89 homes sold over the three months ending June 2026,with strong demand from buyers prioritizing top-tier public schools. This market is competitive,but less frenzied than ultra-low-inventory towns like Glen Ridge,which leaves prepared buyers a bit more room to negotiate. . 。
The Livingston reality: At ~$1.2M median,with homes selling at roughly 103-104% of asking price,and averaging about19 days on market,well-priced,well-presented homes still sell within a few weeks. Budget for the sale price,notthe list price,andcome pre-approved,ready to move when the right home comes up.
Data: Redfin 07039 ZIP housing market & Movoto Livingston market trends(2026) · Last updated September ̈2026
Commute & Transit
Everything NYC relocators need to know
- No rail service in town
No rail station in Livingston. Commuters use bus or shuttle connections.
- Community Coach #77
- Livingston Express Shuttle
- #77 Express to Port Authority from the Livingston Mall (50–60 min,
- Free shuttle from the Livingston Mall to South Orange Station for Midtown Direct rail
Free commuter parking available at the Livingston Mall,and shuttle pickup centers right there,where Community Coach #77 also boards. Plan ahead during peak- the lot fills early.
Livingston is coach-and-shuttle-oriented. Community Coach #77 runs directly from the Livingston Mall to Port Authority via Route 280,and the free Livingston Express shuttle connects the mall to South Orange's Midtown Direct rail.
Livingston Spotlight
| County | Essex |
| Public Schools | Livingston Public Schools |
| Rail / Coach | Community Coach #77 |
| Transit Terminus | Port Authority (NYC) |
| Transit Time | ~50-60 min to Port Auth. |
| Signature Vibe | Space & Top Schools |
Sorelle's Livingston Tip
"Livingston is about space and schools. At ~$1.2M median with a ~103% sale-to-list ratio,and homes averaging about19 days on market,well-priced homes still move within a few weeks. If prioritizing top-rated public schools,and lots of room for your family,this township is a strong fitnd come pre-approved,and ready. Every situation is differentndash let's talk through what makes sense for yours."
Related Reading
Current Livingston market prices, school rankings, commute options,and why families are choosing this spacious Essex County township.
Read the GuideA practical comparison of what your budget buys in Livingston versus New York City,from taxes to space to schools.
Read the Guide"Sorelle guides clients through every step of the real estate process with clear communication, deep local expertise, and real-world results."
Ready to Explore Livingston Homes?
From assessing school district boundaries to finding the right lot for your family,and weighing the coach versus shuttle commute,I am here to help you navigate Livingston with total ease.
Frequently Asked Questions About Livingston
Per Redfin's 07039 data,the three-month median sale price sits around $1.2M (up roughly 3.5% year over year,with the latest monthly read near $1.3M),with a ~103.4% sale-to-list ratio,and homes averaging about 19 days on market. Homes range from ~$650K for older ranches,and smaller colonials,to $1.2M–$1.8M+ for executive estates,and newer construction on premium lots.
Livingston is served by Community Coach #77,a direct motorcoach run from the Livingston Mall to the Port Authority Bus Terminal,typically 50–60 minutes single-seat,no transfers.A free municipal shuttle also connects the mall to South Orange Station,where Midtown Direct trains reach Penn Stationin roughly 60–75 minutes door-to-door.
Livingston Public Schools rank among the best in New Jersey.Livingston High was ranked #20 Best Public High School in NJ(U.S.News,2025),with testing scores rated 10/10(Public School Review,2025–26).The district serves about6,400 students across nine schools,with strong STEM programs and Blue Ribbon recognition.
Property taxes in Livingston vary by assessed home value.As a top-rated school district in New Jersey,tax rates reflect that investment.I'll help you understand the full monthly cost for your price range,just reach out.
Livingston features a mix of mid-century ranches,and split-levels,two-story colonials(the most common style),and newer executive estates on half-acre to full-acre lots.Many homes sit on generously sized, tree-lined lots,givingthe township its spacious character.
The market is competitive,butless frenzied than ultra-low-inventory townslike Glen Ridge.At ~$1.2M median,witha~103.4% sale-to-list ratio,andhomes averagingabout19 days on market,well-priced,well-presented homes still sellwithin a few weeks,leavingprepared buyers some room to negotiate.
No,theris no NJ Transit rail station in Livingston itself.Commuters use Community Coach #77(the direct bus to Port Authority)or the free Express Shuttle to South Orange Station,whereMidtown Directtrainsreach Penn Station.Nearbystationsin Millburn,Short Hills,Summit,andSouthOrangearealsooptions.
Livingstonisfamily-and-outdoor-oriented,withtownship parks,recreation programs,andthe Livingston Mall for shoppinganddining.ItscentralEssexCountylocationalsoputsyouwithinshortdrivesofSouthMountainReservation,andthedining,andartsscenesofneighboringtowns.
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