Housing Market
Cape May County's real estate operates on a seasonal rhythm — summer drives viewings and offers, fall through spring favors buyers. The luxury market (Avalon $2M+, Stone Harbor $1.5M+, Cape May $800K+) is driven by Philadelphia, NYC, and DC second-home buyers. Ocean City's dry-town family market commands $600-900K. The mainland towns (Middle Township, Upper Township) offer year-round family living from $300-400K. Tax rates under 1% on the barrier islands are a major financial advantage — a $1.5M home in Stone Harbor pays less property tax than a $500K home in Bergen County.
Compare Towns
16 municipalities sorted by median price
| Town | Median Price | Schools | To NYC | Tax Rate | Est. Annual Tax | Walkability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avalon | $2,200,000 | 7/10 |
120 min
Drive to GSP
|
0.56% | $8,901 |
45
|
| Stone Harbor | $1,800,000 | 7/10 |
120 min
Drive to GSP
|
0.45% | $8,234 |
55
|
| Cape May | $850,000 | 7/10 |
130 min
Drive to GSP
|
1.23% | $5,890 |
82
|
| Sea Isle City | $700,000 | 6/10 |
115 min
Drive to GSP
|
0.78% | $5,234 |
55
|
| Ocean City | $680,000 | 7/10 |
110 min
Drive to GSP
|
0.89% | $5,678 |
72
|
| West Cape May | $550,000 | 7/10 |
130 min
Drive to GSP
|
1.34% | $5,123 |
42
|
| Wildwood Crest | $480,000 | 6/10 |
125 min
Drive to GSP
|
1.23% | $4,567 |
52
|
| North Wildwood | $420,000 | 5/10 |
125 min
Drive to GSP
|
1.45% | $3,890 |
65
|
| Upper Township | $380,000 | 7/10 |
108 min
Drive to GSP
|
1.67% | $4,890 |
8
|
| Lower Township | $360,000 | 6/10 |
128 min
Drive to GSP
|
1.78% | $4,234 |
22
|
| Wildwood | $350,000 | 5/10 |
125 min
Drive to GSP
|
1.89% | $3,234 |
72
|
| Middle Township | $350,000 | 6/10 |
115 min
Drive to GSP
|
1.89% | $4,567 |
18
|
Property Tax Calculator
Enter a home price to see estimated annual taxes by town
Estimates based on current tax rates. Actual amounts may vary.
Best Towns For...
👨👩👧👦 Families
🚂 NYC Commuters
🏠 First-Time Buyers
Town Profiles
Avalon
$2,200,000Seven Mile Beach luxury. Called Cooler by a Mile. Beach mansions and oceanfront condos. Avalon Yacht Club. Princeton Avenue shopping. Under 2,000 year-round residents. The Hamptons of the Jersey Shore.
Stone Harbor
$1,800,000Southern end of Seven Mile Beach. 96th Street commercial district with boutiques and restaurants. Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary. Wetlands Institute. Family-oriented luxury. Under 1,000 year-round residents.
Cape May
$850,000America's Original Seaside Resort. Entire city is a National Historic Landmark. 600+ Victorian homes. Washington Street Mall. Cape May-Lewes Ferry to Delaware. Bird-watching capital of North America. Unique in American real estate.
Sea Isle City
$700,000Barrier island resort with La Costa promenade. Fish Alley restaurants. Younger demographic than Stone Harbor or Avalon. Strong rental income market. Beach and bay access. Summer population exceeds 40,000.
Ocean City
$680,000America's Greatest Family Resort — dry town since 1879. 2.5-mile boardwalk with Gillian's Wonderland Pier. Asbury Avenue shopping. Ocean City HS. Year-round community of 11,000 that swells to 130,000. Family-friendly by design.
West Cape May
$550,000Residential borough adjacent to Cape May city. Lima Bean Festival. Backyard farms and gardens. Quieter than Cape May proper at lower prices. Cape May schools. Under 1,100 residents. Charming and private.
Wildwood Crest
$480,000Southern end of Wildwood island. Quieter, more residential than Wildwood. Sunset Lake. Crest Pier. Family-oriented with wider beaches. Premium over Wildwood proper for the calmer atmosphere.
North Wildwood
$420,000Barrier island town north of Wildwood. Hereford Inlet Lighthouse. Anglesea section. Quieter than Wildwood proper. Mix of Victorian cottages and newer condos. Strong vacation rental market.
Upper Township
$380,000Northern mainland township. Upper Township HS (district of choice — students choose it). Strathmere beach section on the barrier island. Tuckahoe section with historic village. Mix of mainland and shore living.
Lower Township
$360,000Cape May County's largest municipality. Cold Spring Village historic site. Cape May Airport. Villas and Town Bank sections. NJ Transit Cape May bus terminal. Affordable year-round living near the shore.
Wildwood
$350,000FREE beaches and boardwalk — the only Shore town with no beach tags. Doo Wop architecture (Googie-style motels from the 1950s-60s). Morey's Piers. Convention center. Year-round population under 5,500. Investment and rental market.
Middle Township
$350,000Cape May Court House section is the county seat. Middle Township HS. Cape May County Park and Zoo. Mainland family living at affordable prices. Year-round community. Commercial hub for the county.
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