Housing Market
Ocean County is appreciating at 7.2% — the fastest of any large NJ county — driven by a post-pandemic migration of remote workers and retirees. Homes sell in 22 days at 103.4% of asking. The barrier island market (LBI, Point Pleasant Beach, Mantoloking) operates on a different plane — $1M+ beach homes that sell as investments and vacation rentals. The mainland market (Toms River, Brick, Jackson, Lacey) serves families and retirees at $350-550K. The 55+ community market is massive and unique to Ocean County.
Compare Towns
33 municipalities sorted by median price
| Town | Median Price | Schools | To NYC | Tax Rate | Est. Annual Tax | Walkability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mantoloking | $3,500,000 | 7/10 |
90 min
Drive to Point Pleasant
|
0.56% | $12,345 |
15
|
| Bay Head | $1,800,000 | 8/10 |
85 min
Bay Head Station
North Jersey Coast
|
1.12% | $12,345 |
55
|
| Long Beach Township | $1,200,000 | 6/10 |
100 min
Drive to Manahawkin
|
0.89% | $8,901 |
35
|
| Point Pleasant Beach | $750,000 | 7/10 |
82 min
Point Pleasant Beach Station
North Jersey Coast
|
1.89% | $7,890 |
72
|
| Point Pleasant Borough | $550,000 | 7/10 |
80 min
Point Pleasant Station
North Jersey Coast
|
2.01% | $7,234 |
45
|
| Brick | $480,000 | 7/10 |
82 min
Drive to Point Pleasant
|
2.12% | $6,567 |
18
|
| Jackson | $470,000 | 7/10 |
75 min
Drive to Freehold/Point Pleasant
|
2.23% | $7,234 |
8
|
| Toms River | $450,000 | 7/10 |
85 min
Drive to Point Pleasant
|
2.12% | $6,234 |
25
|
| Lakewood | $420,000 | 5/10 |
75 min
Drive to Point Pleasant
|
2.34% | $5,234 |
42
|
| Lacey | $400,000 | 7/10 |
90 min
Drive to Toms River
|
2.01% | $5,890 |
10
|
| Stafford | $380,000 | 6/10 |
95 min
Drive to Toms River
|
1.89% | $5,456 |
12
|
| Seaside Heights | $380,000 | 5/10 |
90 min
Drive to Toms River
|
2.12% | $4,567 |
72
|
| Barnegat | $370,000 | 6/10 |
92 min
Drive to Toms River
|
2.12% | $5,890 |
15
|
Property Tax Calculator
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Best Towns For...
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Town Profiles
Mantoloking
$3,500,000Billionaire's row. Barrier island enclave destroyed by Sandy and rebuilt even more exclusive. Under 300 year-round residents. Private beaches. The most expensive real estate in Ocean County by far.
Bay Head
$1,800,000NJ Transit's southernmost station. Victorian beach town with pristine boardwalk. Bay Head Yacht Club. Non-commercial beach. Under 1,000 residents. Last stop on the train, first in charm.
Long Beach Township
$1,200,000LBI's largest municipality spanning most of the barrier island. Beach Haven, Brant Beach, Surf City, Ship Bottom sections. Summer rental powerhouse. Rebuilt post-Sandy. Iconic NJ shore destination.
Point Pleasant Beach
$750,000Jenkinsons Boardwalk and Aquarium. Arnold Avenue dining. NJ Transit station. Year-round beach community with active downtown. Point Pleasant Beach HS. Family-friendly shore town with strong rental income potential.
Point Pleasant Borough
$550,000Mainland borough with NJ Transit. Treasure of New Jersey canal. River and bay access without island prices. Point Pleasant Boro HS. Family-oriented with better commute access than beach towns.
Brick
$480,000Large family township. Brick Memorial and Brick Township HS. Windward Beach Park. Route 70/88 commercial corridor. Mix of waterfront and inland neighborhoods. Strong community identity. Competitive youth sports.
Jackson
$470,000Six Flags Great Adventure and Safari. NJ's largest municipality by area. Jackson Memorial HS. Large lots and horse properties in western sections. Growing with NJ Turnpike access. Rural-suburban mix.
Toms River
$450,000Ocean County's largest municipality and county seat. Little League World Series champions (multiple titles). Toms River HS East and North. Island Beach State Park access. Mix of suburban neighborhoods and waterfront. The hub of everything in Ocean County.
Lakewood
$420,000One of NJ's fastest-growing municipalities driven by Orthodox Jewish community. Georgian Court University. Pine Park. Route 9 commercial corridor. Unique market dynamics with strong demand and rapid development.
Lacey
$400,000Forked River section provides Barnegat Bay access. Lacey Township HS. Double Trouble State Park (cranberry bogs). Mix of waterfront homes and Pine Barrens properties. Quieter alternative to Toms River.
Stafford
$380,000Manahawkin section is the gateway to Long Beach Island. Southern Regional HS. Stafford Forge Wildlife Management Area. Affordable mainland living with LBI access across the Causeway.
Seaside Heights
$380,000Jersey Shore boardwalk culture. Casino Pier. MTV's Jersey Shore fame. Year-round population under 3,000 that swells in summer. Rebuilt after Sandy. Investment and rental market. Barrier island energy.
Barnegat
$370,000Growing township south of Toms River. Barnegat HS. Barnegat Bay waterfront. Pine Barrens proximity. Active-adult communities. Affordable family and retirement housing. Garden State Parkway access.
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