Living in Maplewood 2026 Guide
A village whose top addresses score up to 89 on Walk Score, with direct Midtown Direct rail from Maplewood Station to NY Penn in roughly 35-40 minutes and a K-12 school district shared with South Orange.
Village & rail - award-winning pedestrian Village downtown with independent shops, a Walk Score up to 89 on Village addresses, and direct Midtown Direct rail.
Direct midtown rail - Maplewood Station on the Morristown Line, 35–40 min to Penn Station.
Shared SOMSD schools - collaborative district with South Orange, anchored by Columbia High School's strong arts and athletics.
The numbers - a walkable village center (Maplewood Village addresses score up to 89 on walkscore.com; city figure unverified), a direct Morris & Essex Lines (Midtown Direct) ride to NY Penn from Maplewood Station, and Memorial Park plus the 2,110-acre South Mountain Reservation nearby. I'll pull current comps for the streets you like. See our Maplewood selling guide for sellers, or get a home value estimate.
Maplewood, NJ: Village Downtown & Direct Rail
Maplewood's central landmark, **Maplewood Village**, is an award-winning pedestrian commercial hub with historic brick storefronts, local bookstores, bakeries, and independently owned cafes, anchored by a direct Morris & Essex Lines (Midtown Direct) rail ride to the city and a K-12 district shared with South Orange.
Architecturally, the tree-canopied avenues are lined with preserved historic homes, ranging from craftsman bungalows and center-hall colonials to English Tudors.
Commuter Logistics: Direct Midtown Trains from Maplewood Station
Maplewood's transit infrastructure centers directly on **Maplewood Station** on NJ Transit's **Morristown and Gladstone Lines**:
- Midtown Direct Rail: Commuters board trains at Maplewood Station (sitting right inside Maplewood Village) for a direct ride to New York Penn Station in about 35-40 minutes on weekday mornings.
- Frequent Departures: With frequent departures during typical peak morning and evening hours, riders can grab a coffee from a local merchant before catching their train.
- Highway Convenience: For those who commute by car, Maplewood offers easy access to State Route 124, Interstate 78, and the Garden State Parkway, connecting you smoothly to Newark Liberty International Airport and regional corporate campuses.
South Orange-Maplewood School District (SOMSD)
Maplewood shares its public school district with neighboring South Orange (known together as the **South Orange-Maplewood School District** or *SOMSD*); the shared district serves both towns.
The district operates a broad academic program with a wide array of AP courses at Columbia High School, along with music and theater ensembles and competitive sports programs.
community-oriented Events
Maplewood hosts community events highlighted by Maplewoodstock, a free, two-day music and arts festival featuring national, regional, and local musicians alongside local food trucks and art vendors.
Local Village Spots
The culinary and hospitality spots are legendary. Grab some craft cocktails and modern American dining at Coda Kitchen and Bar, enjoy fresh local sushi at Mt Fuji, or grab a classic diner breakfast at Park Wood Diner.
What Homes Actually Sell For
List prices are a strategy, not a ceiling. Per Redfin's 07040 ZIP market data, the median sale price in Maplewood reads about $1.1M on the September 2026 market-trends widget (July 2026 read about $1.2M; Redfin's earlier December 2025 page read $830K, down 8.8% year over year), with homes selling roughly 13-15% above list on that September 2026 read (sale-to-list ratio near 113-115%; about 108.5% in April 2026), so the number depends heavily on the reporting window. Zillow's average home value reads ~$977K (up roughly 5.8% year over year). Homes go under contract in roughly 14-16 days per Redfin's September 2026 snapshot (Realtor.com's May 2026 read put the median at 17 days), and the market is rated 'very competitive'. Homes routinely sell at or above asking - especially updated colonials and Tudors near the Village and train station. The shared SOMSD school district with South Orange adds strong demand from families. Inventory is tight: Zillow shows roughly 39 single-family homes for sale, Realtor.com-based data counted 66 active listings (May 2026) at a median list price near $850K, and Movoto counted 103 active listings (April 2026). Condos and townhomes offer a more accessible entry point for first-time buyers. Budget well above list price.
The Maplewood reality: At a ~$1.1M-$1.2M median depending on the reporting window (Redfin September 2026 vs. July 2026 reads), with Zillow's average value near $977K, homes sell fast and at or above asking (about 13-15% over list per Redfin's September 2026 read). Inventory stays tight: about 39 single-family homes for sale per Zillow, with 66 active listings per Realtor.com-based data (May 2026) and 103 per Movoto (April 2026). Village addresses score up to 89 on Walk Score, Midtown Direct rail reaches NY Penn in about 35-40 minutes, and demand shows up in the numbers: homes go to contract in about 14-16 days at roughly 13-15% above list. Come pre-approved and ready to move.
Source: Redfin 07040 ZIP housing market, Zillow 07040 home values, Realtor.com data via Prop-Metrics (07040), and Movoto Maplewood market trends, accessed October 26, 2026. Figures reflect public market data as reported by each source and change frequently.
Commute & Transit
Everything NYC relocators need to know
- Morris & Essex Lines (Morristown / Gladstone Lines)
- Maplewood Station - ~3–8 min walk from Maplewood Village
- NJ Transit Bus 107 nearby
Maplewood Station has a commuter lot with permit required. Free municipal parking available in Maplewood Village. Arrive early during peak - the lot fills up quickly on weekday mornings.
Trains run Midtown Direct - no transfer at Newark required. Service is frequent during peak morning and evening hours.
Maplewood Spotlight
| County | Essex |
| School District | SOMSD (Shared) |
| Train Station | Maplewood Station |
| Lines Served | Morristown / Gladstone |
| Commute Run | ~35-40 min to Penn St. |
| Vibe | Artistic & Family-Centric |
Sorelle's Maplewood Tip
"If you are commuting daily to NYC, being in close proximity to the Maplewood Village train station is a huge plus. The town is highly walkable, meaning many residents can leave their cars at home entirely! At a ~$1.1M-$1.2M median depending on the reporting window (Redfin's September 2026 vs. July 2026 reads), homes move quickly - typically in about 14-16 days. Village addresses score up to 89 on Walk Score, and demand shows up in the numbers: homes sell at roughly 13-15% above list per Redfin's September 2026 read. Every situation is different - let's talk through what makes sense for yours."
Property Taxes in Maplewood NJ
Per the NJ Division of Taxation's MOD IV Average Residential Statistics report, the average residential property tax bill in Maplewood for Tax Year 2025 was $19,380, cross-checked against Patch's coverage of the same report year at about $19,378. The Division's effective (equalized) tax rate for Maplewood is 2.434 per $100 of equalized value in the 2025 General Tax Rates table. 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 Maplewood and nearby towns.
Read the GuideEverything NYC buyers need to know about moving to Maplewood and South Orange NJ: commute, SOMA schools, historic homes, and real pricing.
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 Houses in Maplewood, NJ?
From evaluating local school rankings and commute logistics to finding the perfect street near Maplewood Village, let me guide you with clear, honest market analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maplewood
Per Redfin's 07040 ZIP data, the median sale price in Maplewood reads about $1.1M on the September 2026 market-trends widget (July 2026 read about $1.2M; Redfin's earlier December 2025 page read $830K, down 8.8% year over year), with homes going under contract in roughly 14-16 days and selling about 13-15% above list on that September 2026 read. Zillow's average home value reads ~$977K, up about 5.8% year over year. Updated colonials and Tudors near the Village and train station command the strongest prices.
Maplewood Station on the Morristown Line offers Midtown Direct service trains run non-stop to Penn Station in approximately 35–40 minutes during peak hours. The station is right in Maplewood Village, walkable from most of town.
Maplewood is served by NJ Transit's Morristown and Gladstone Lines (Morris & Essex) with one station: Maplewood Station, conveniently located in Maplewood Village. Midtown Direct trains run non-stop to Penn Station during peak hours.
The average residential property tax bill in Maplewood for Tax Year 2025 was $19,380 (NJ Division of Taxation), with an effective rate of 2.434 per $100 of equalized value in the 2025 General Tax Rates table. 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.
Yes, Maplewood is highly walkable around Maplewood Village, where addresses score up to 89 on walkscore.com (city-level figure [unverified - confirm]). The village is a pedestrian commercial hub with local bookstores, bakeries, and independent cafes; Memorial Park (~25 acres) and the 2,110-acre South Mountain Reservation are close by.
Maplewood features craftsman bungalows, center-hall colonials, English Tudors, and Victorian homes on tree-canopied streets, with well-preserved styles reflecting the town's long history as a commuter destination.
Maplewood's market is highly competitive. At a ~$1.1M-$1.2M median depending on the reporting window, with roughly 14-16 days on market and homes routinely selling at or above asking (about 13-15% over list per Redfin's September 2026 read), properties move fast. Village addresses score up to 89 on Walk Score, and Midtown Direct rail reaches NY Penn in about 35-40 minutes.
Maplewood shares the South Orange-Maplewood School District (SOMSD) with South Orange. The district runs a broad academic program, anchored by Columbia High School's arts, athletics, and AP offerings.
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- NJ Division of Taxation, MOD IV Average Residential Statistics, Tax Year 2025 (Maplewood average residential tax bill: $19,380)
- NJ Division of Taxation, 2025 General Tax Rates (Maplewood effective rate: 2.434 per $100)
- Patch, Property Taxes Keep Rising In Maplewood And South Orange (Tax Year 2025) (cross-check, about $19,378)
- Walk Score, Maplewood Village (address score 89; city-level [unverified - confirm])
- Maplewood Historic Preservation Commission, Memorial Park (~25 acres); Essex County Parks, South Mountain Reservation (2,110 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.