Living in Madison 2026 Guide
Often called the "Rose City," Madison is a Morris County borough with an independently owned downtown on Main Street, tree-lined streets, historic homes, and a direct one-seat rail ride to Manhattan.
Walkable downtown - independent shops, restaurants, cafes, and a weekly farmers market on Main Street. Drew University adds arts and cultural programming.
Direct one-seat rail to NYC - Madison Station on the Morris & Essex Line with Midtown Direct service. ~50-60 min to Penn Station, no transfers needed.
Highly rated schools - Madison Public School District is ranked among the top 10-20% of districts in New Jersey. Madison High School is consistently well-regarded.
The numbers - a walkable downtown along Main Street with the train station on it, a direct Morris & Essex Lines (Midtown Direct) ride to NY Penn, and the 850+ acre Loantaka Brook Reservation at the edge of town. Median sale values run well above $700K-800K; let's pull current comps. Get a home value estimate or book a consultation.
The Complete Guide to Madison, NJ
Madison is a borough in Morris County, New Jersey, home to roughly 16,000–17,000 residents and often called the "Rose City" - a nickname that dates back to its early 20th-century rose-growing industry. Today, Madison is best known for its independently owned downtown business district, tree-lined residential streets, and historic homes spanning Victorian, Colonial Revival, and Tudor Revival styles.
The borough is home to Drew University, a private liberal arts university founded in 1867, which adds a layer of arts and cultural programming - lectures, theater productions, and concerts open to the community. Madison's walkable downtown and direct NYC rail make it a popular Morris County commuter stop.
For NYC-area relocators - especially those moving from places like Weehawken - Madison offers something different: a direct one-seat train ride from a station you can walk to, rather than a bus-to-PATH or ferry-to-subway transfer. If you're used to the Weehawken commute (bus/PATH/ferry to NYC), Madison's Midtown Direct rail is a simpler, more relaxing option - park at the station or walk from downtown and settle in for a single ride to Penn Station.
Commute to NYC: Direct Rail from Madison Station
Madison Station is located right downtown on NJ Transit's Morris & Essex Line, offering Midtown Direct service to New York Penn Station - a one-seat ride with no transfer at Newark. Express trains can reach Penn in about 55 minutes, with some as fast as 50 minutes. Regular service is roughly 50-60 minutes end to end.
How Madison compares to Weehawken: The Weehawken commute typically involves a bus, PATH train, or NY Waterway ferry into NYC - often with at least one transfer before you reach Midtown. Madison offers a direct one-seat rail ride from a walkable downtown station. You board a train, settle in with your coffee, and arrive at Penn Station without switching lines. For many relocators, that simplicity is a major draw.
For drivers, Route 24 connects to I-78 and I-287, giving access to Newark, the Oranges, and the broader region. The station also has a park-and-ride lot for commuters who live a bit further from downtown.
Full details in our NJ Transit & Commute Guide.
Madison Public Schools
The Madison Public School District serves the borough and is consistently highly rated, ranking among the top 10-20% of school districts in New Jersey. Madison High School typically ranks in the top 17-20% of New Jersey high schools for academics and college readiness.
Torey J. Sabatini Elementary
Highly regarded K-5 school serving much of the borough.
Central Avenue School
Well-regarded K-5 elementary serving the central and western areas.
Madison High School
Ranked among the top 17-20% of NJ high schools. Strong AP programs and athletics.
The district also includes Madison Junior School (grades 6-8). Families moving to Madison consistently cite the schools as a key factor, and the system serves as a strong draw for buyers coming from NYC and surrounding areas.
Lifestyle & What to Know
Walkable Downtown
Main Street is lined with independent restaurants, cafes, boutique shops, and services - all owned by locals. It's the kind of downtown where you can grab coffee, run errands, and run into neighbors, all on foot.
Farmers Market
A weekly farmers market runs during the summer months, drawing the community together for fresh local produce, baked goods, and artisan products right downtown.
Arts & Culture
Drew University brings a steady calendar of arts and cultural programming - theater, concerts, lectures, and exhibitions open to the community.
Community Events
Main Street serves as a gathering spot for seasonal events, parades, and community celebrations.
Historic Architecture
Madison is known for its well-preserved historic homes - Victorians, Colonial Revivals, Tudor Revivals, and Craftsman bungalows sit on tree-lined streets. It's a town that feels established and cared for.
Street Life
Main Street anchors the borough's daily life: restaurants, cafes, the train station, and the weekly farmers market sit within a short walk of each other, and Drew University adds arts programming to the calendar.
Homes & Market Overview
Madison offers a mix of historic homes and well-maintained properties. You'll find Victorian houses, Colonial Revivals, Tudors, and mid-century ranches spread across quiet, tree-canopied streets. As a direct-rail commuter town in Morris County, home prices in Madison are generally above the regional average.
Single-family homes commonly start well above $700K–$800K, with many properties near the downtown and the rail line reaching higher. Per Redfin's 07940 data, the median sale price sits near $1.2M-$1.3M (Redfin's ZIP market page reads about $1.3M over the trailing three months, down ~0.65% year over year; median price per square foot ~$595, down ~1.2% year over year), with an average days-on-market around 16 days and a sale-to-list ratio near 108.8% (homes selling roughly 9% above list on average, up 1.2 points month over month; about 110-112% in earlier months). Zillow's average home value reads ~$1.01M (up ~4.2% year over year), Movoto counted 39 active listings, RealtyTrac counted 96 homes for sale in the 07940 ZIP (September 2026, up ~92% year over year), and Redfin's 07940 new-listings feed shows about 9 current new listings. Exact market data changes quickly. Inventory, interest rates, and seasonal trends all play a role.
Thinking of buying in Madison? Market conditions and pricing change frequently. Let's talk through what's currently available in your price range. I'll walk you through current listings, recent sales, and what to expect in today's market.
Source: Redfin 07940 ZIP housing market, Redfin 07940 new listings, Zillow 07940 listings, Movoto Madison market trends, and RealtyTrac 07940 market trends, accessed October 26, 2026. Figures reflect public market data as reported by each source and change frequently. Market data should be confirmed with current MLS. Contact Sorelle for up-to-date listings and pricing.
Madison vs Montclair vs Maplewood
If you're comparing these three towns, here's a quick breakdown:
Morris & Essex Line, Midtown Direct - about 50-60 minutes to Penn Station. Walkable Main Street downtown, an independent K-12 school district, and Drew University adding cultural programming. Prices generally well above $700K-$800K.
Montclair-Boonton Line - about 35-45 minutes to Penn Station from one of six stations. A city-like downtown with an acclaimed dining scene, magnet schools, and active arts venues. Premium pricing at $1M+ median.
Morristown/Gladstone Lines - about 35-40 minutes to Penn Station (express). A pedestrian-friendly Village downtown, a shared SOMSD school district, and the fastest express commute of the three. Median ~$1.05M-$1.15M (Redfin 07040 / Maplewood Township reads).
The bottom line: Each town offers a different balance of commute time, walkability, and pricing. Madison stands out for its walkable Main Street, its independent school district, and a direct one-seat rail ride to Penn Station. Use our town comparison tool or book a call and we'll figure out which town fits your life.
Commute & Transit
Everything NYC relocators need to know
- Morris & Essex Lines (Midtown Direct)
- Madison Station - ~3–8 min walk from downtown Main Street
- NJ Transit Bus 873 (Madison to Morristown)
- Lakeland Bus (Route 24 corridor)
Madison Station has a commuter parking lot with permit parking available. Additional municipal parking is available downtown. The station is walkable from much of the downtown area, so many residents can walk rather than drive.
Midtown Direct trains run direct to Penn Station - no transfer at Newark required. Express trains can be as fast as ~50 minutes. Frequent peak-hour service.
Madison Spotlight
| Town | Madison |
| County | Morris |
| Population | ~16,000–17,000 |
| School District | Madison Public Schools |
| Train Station | Madison Station |
| Line Served | Morris & Essex (Midtown Direct) |
| Commute to Penn | ~50–60 min |
| Vibe | Walkable Main Street |
Sorelle's Madison Tip
"Madison pairs a walkable Main Street with the direct Midtown Direct train and its own K-12 district. If you're comparing it to Montclair or Maplewood, weigh the classic Main Street and a slightly longer but simpler one-seat commute against a more urban feel. Every situation is different - let's talk through the pros and cons for yours."
Property Taxes in Madison NJ
Per the NJ Division of Taxation's MOD IV Average Residential Statistics report, the average residential property tax bill in Madison for Tax Year 2025 was $15,897. The equalized effective rate works out to about 1.54 per $100 for 2025 (Madison's general rate of 2.254 multiplied by its 68.26% Chapter 123 equalization ratio; third-party tables cite 1.535). The amount you actually pay depends on the assessed value of the specific home.
Use these as a planning anchor, not a quote: your bill is set by the year's rate and the home's assessed value. Sources are listed at the bottom of this page.
Related Reading
A practical comparison of Northern NJ suburbs with the best NYC commute options - including Madison, Montclair, Maplewood, and more.
Read the GuideWhat I tell every client moving from New York to Northern NJ - from choosing a town to budgeting and timing your move.
Read the Guide"Every situation is different, and my goal is to make sure you feel informed and comfortable every step of the way without pressure."
Exploring Homes in Madison, NJ?
From the walkable downtown and direct train to top schools and historic homes, let me guide you through Madison's market with clear, honest information.
Frequently Asked Questions About Madison
Madison is often called the 'Rose City' and is known for its walkable downtown with independently owned shops and restaurants, tree-lined streets with historic homes, its own K-12 school district, and Drew University. It's a Morris County commuter town with a direct one-seat train to NYC.
Madison Station on NJ Transit's Morris & Essex Line offers Midtown Direct service to Penn Station. Express trains can reach NYC in about 50-55 minutes, with regular service taking roughly 50-60 minutes. It's a one-seat ride with no transfer.
Madison is served by NJ Transit's Morris & Essex Line, with Midtown Direct service to New York Penn Station. Madison Station is the only station in the borough, located right near downtown Main Street.
The Madison Public School District is highly rated, consistently ranking among the top 10-20% of school districts in New Jersey. Madison High School is ranked in the top 17-20% of NJ high schools. Elementary schools including Torey J. Sabatini and Central Avenue are well regarded.
Yes, Madison's downtown Main Street area is very walkable (downtown addresses score up to 78 on walkscore.com; city-level figure [unverified - confirm]), with restaurants, cafes, boutique shops, and services in a compact, pedestrian-friendly setting. Madison Station is walkable from much of the downtown, and the 850+ acre Loantaka Brook Reservation sits at the edge of town.
Madison features a mix of historic homes including Victorian, Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, and Craftsman bungalows, along with well-maintained mid-century ranches and newer construction. Homes sit on tree-lined streets in established residential neighborhoods.
Madison is a direct-rail commuter town in Morris County with a walkable downtown. Single-family homes commonly start well above $700K–$800K, with Redfin's 07940 median sale price near ~$1.2M-$1.3M (the ZIP market page reads about $1.3M over the trailing three months, down ~0.65% year over year), an average days-on-market around 16 days, and a sale-to-list ratio near 108.8% (homes selling roughly 9% above list on average). Zillow's average home value reads ~$1.01M, Movoto counted 39 active listings, and RealtyTrac counted 96 homes for sale in the 07940 ZIP (September 2026). Confirm current figures with your MLS before making an offer. Let's talk through the latest numbers.
Madison is in Morris County with a ~50-60 min direct rail commute and its own K-12 district. Montclair (~35-45 min) has six train stations and a more urban downtown with magnet schools. Maplewood (~35-40 min express) has a walkable Village and a district shared with South Orange. Each has a different balance of commute time, character, and pricing.
The average residential property tax bill in Madison for Tax Year 2025 was $15,897 (NJ Division of Taxation), with an equalized effective rate near 1.54 per $100 (Morris County's 2025 general rate of 2.254 times Madison's 68.26% equalization ratio). Your actual bill depends on the assessed value of the specific home, so I'll run the exact number for any property you are considering.
Have a question not listed here? I'm happy to help.
Ask SorelleSources
- NJ Division of Taxation, MOD IV Average Residential Statistics, Tax Year 2025 (Madison average residential tax bill: $15,897)
- Morris County Board of Taxation, 2025 municipal tax rates (Madison general rate 2.254 per $100)
- Home Property Tax, Madison NJ (2025 effective rate cited at 1.535 per $100, cross-check)
- Walk Score, Main Street, Madison (downtown address score 72; city-level [unverified - confirm])
- Morris County Park Commission, Loantaka Brook Reservation (over 850 acres)
All figures carry the year attached; the state republishes tax tables annually and market and park data change, so confirm current figures before relying on them.