Why Livingston, NJ?
Livingston is 14.12 square miles of spacious suburban living named after William Livingston — the first Governor of New Jersey and a framer of the United States Constitution. The township's Asian-American population has grown to 28.8% (up from single digits in the 1990s), transforming the dining scene with ILPOOM By Kim's Sushi (rated number 1 omakase and number 1 Japanese restaurant in New Jersey), authentic Korean BBQ, and tofu houses. Livingston High School received the National Blue Ribbon Award in 1997-98 and was ranked 9th nationally by Newsweek in 2013. The New Jersey Ballet is headquartered here. Riker Hill Art Park occupies a former Nike Missile site with 40-plus working artists. Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (597 beds, established 1865) is the township's largest employer. The Walter Kidde Dinosaur Park is a 16-acre National Natural Landmark containing dinosaur tracks. Andre Agassi won the Livingston Open tennis tournament in 1988, his seventh career title. The Jewish community represents approximately 46% of the population with multiple synagogues, day schools, and kosher dining. At $775K with 26.7% of residents holding advanced degrees, Livingston offers Millburn-quality schools and Short Hills-adjacent geography at half the price.
Livingston Real Estate Market in 2026
Livingston homes sell in 20 days at a $775K median. The Coventry section commands $2M to $3M for opulent custom homes, while Chestnut Hill delivers modern architecture at $1M to $2M. The township's 14 square miles provide spacious quarter to half acre lots — significantly larger than eastern Essex County communities. Colonials, split-levels, contemporary builds, and an increasing amount of new construction. The Regency Club offers gated townhomes from $400K. The Livingston Express Jitney connects to South Orange's Midtown Direct station, with total door-to-door time to Penn Station approximately 50 minutes.
Best Neighborhoods in Livingston
7 distinct neighborhoods, each with its own character and price range
Coventry / Old Short Hills Road
$1,200,000 to $3,000,000The premium section bordering Short Hills with opulent custom homes on large wooded lots. Properties range from $2M to $3M in Coventry proper. Near the Millburn border, buyers get Livingston tax rates (2.23% — the lowest in Essex County) with Short Hills-adjacent geography. The most exclusive addresses in the township.
Chestnut Hill
$900,000 to $2,000,000Modern architecture and spacious floor plans on generous lots. Newer construction mixed with updated colonials. Strong demand from families upgrading within the Livingston school district. Prestigious addresses and well-maintained properties throughout.
Northfield
$650,000 to $950,000Established residential section with mid-century colonials and split-levels. Riker Hill Elementary serves the area. Near Riker Hill Art Park (42-acre former Nike Missile site with 40-plus working artists). Good value for the school district in a quiet, tree-lined setting.
South Livingston Avenue
$600,000 to $850,000Near the commercial corridor, Livingston Mall, and Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (597 beds). Harrison Elementary serves the area. Walking distance to restaurants and shopping. The most convenient section for daily errands and medical access.
West Livingston / Eisenhower
$550,000 to $750,000Near the Eisenhower Parkway corporate office corridor and Route 10 shopping. Split-levels and ranches from the 1950s through 1970s on larger lots. Mount Pleasant Elementary and the West Essex YMCA serve the area. Direct bus service to Port Authority via Community Coach 77.
Livingston Center
$500,000 to $750,000The historic township center (formerly known as Teedtown). Home to the new Livingston Town Center mixed-use development with restaurants, retail, and the Arts Council gallery. Collins Elementary serves the area. The Ward-Force House (built 1745, National Register of Historic Places) and the Force Homestead Museum anchor the historical identity.
Regency Club / Townhomes
$400,000 to $650,000The most accessible entry into the Livingston school district. The Regency Club is a sought-after gated townhome community with 265 units in the southwestern section. Other condo and townhome communities offer maintenance-free living. The only section of Livingston with attached housing.
Commuting from Livingston to NYC
Source: NJ Transit schedules, June 2026. Peak hour commute times.
Walkability and Livability in Livingston
How easy is it to live car-free or car-light in Livingston?
Livingston Schools and Ratings
Livingston Public Schools serves 6,151 students with a 12.3 to 1 student-teacher ratio. Six elementary schools (K through 5): Burnet Hill (488), Collins (462), Harrison (449), Hillside (397), Mount Pleasant (434), and Riker Hill (400). Mount Pleasant Middle School (507, grade 6) and Heritage Middle School (1,008, grades 7 through 8). Livingston High School (the Lancers, 1,945 students, grades 9 through 12) received the National Blue Ribbon Award in 1997-98 and was ranked 9th nationally by Newsweek in 2013. The district scores a 10 out of 10 for college readiness on Niche. Private options include Newark Academy (coeducational day school, grades 6 through 12, founded 1774 — one of the oldest schools in America), Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy (Pre-K through 8), Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School (9 through 12), and Aquinas Academy (Catholic Pre-K through 8). Two weekend Chinese language schools serve the growing Asian community.
Source: NCES CCD 2023 to 2024, NJDOE NJSLA 2024 to 2025
Heritage Middle School
Harrison Elementary School
Hillside Elementary School
Mount Pleasant Elementary School
Collins Elementary School
Burnet Hill Elementary School
Livingston High School
Mount Pleasant Middle School
Livingston vs Neighboring Towns: Cost Comparison
| City | Median Price | Tax Rate | Annual Tax | NYC Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Livingston | $775,000 | 2.23% | $16,789 | 45 min |
| West Orange | $535,000 | 2.89% | $12,345 | 42 min |
| Millburn/Short Hills | $1,800,000 | 2.01% | $28,456 | 35 min |
| Chatham | $1,050,000 | 2.12% | $19,234 | 40 min |
Where to Eat in Livingston
Japanese and Korean (Asian Dining Capital of Essex County)
ILPOOM By Kim's Sushi (rated number 1 omakase restaurant and number 1 Japanese restaurant in all of New Jersey — a destination dining experience), Woodam (Korean fine dining), SGD Dubu So Gong Dong Tofu and BBQ (authentic Korean tofu house), Seoul Bistro (Korean), Koreander Restaurant (Korean fusion), KPOT Korean BBQ and Hot Pot, Ichiryu Omakase, Kurobuta White Charcoal Grille. The 28.8% Asian-American population drives a level of authentic Asian cuisine unmatched anywhere in Essex County.
Italian and American
Vette Dining at Calabria (fine Italian, recent opening), Sweet Basil's Cafe (community staple for nearly 30 years, fresh seasonal menu), Mezza (Mediterranean). The Livingston Town Center development has added new dining options to the commercial core.
Parks and Recreation in Livingston
Riker Hill Art Park
42-acre Essex County park built on a former Nike Missile site from the Cold War. Home to 40-plus working artists in converted military buildings, walking trails, and seasonal art shows. One of the most unique creative spaces in New Jersey.
Walter Kidde Dinosaur Park
16-acre National Natural Landmark containing dinosaur tracks from the Triassic and Jurassic periods. Not publicly accessible but recognized as one of the most significant paleontological sites in the Northeast. Owned by Roche Pharmaceuticals.
Becker Park
147 acres of undeveloped woodland preserved as open space. Part of the township's 842 acres (9% of total land area) protected from development.
South Mountain Reservation
2,112-acre Essex County nature reserve accessible from Livingston's eastern border. Hiking trails, Hemlock Falls, Turtle Back Zoo, and nature areas.
Township Recreation Complex
10 little league diamonds, 4 full baseball diamonds, 8 soccer and lacrosse fields, 16 tennis courts, 11 playgrounds, a jogging track, dog park, and fishing and ice skating pond. Two municipal swimming pools serve residents.
New Development and Growth in Livingston
Livingston Town Center
Mixed-use development along Livingston Avenue from Route 10 to Northfield Road adding restaurants, retail, residential, the Arts Council gallery, and community space. The most significant commercial development in the township's modern history.
Livingston Mall Evolution
The southwestern anchor mall has faced retail headwinds (Sears closed February 2020, Lord and Taylor closed December 2020). Macy's and Barnes and Noble remain. Redevelopment discussions ongoing to reimagine the 1960s-era property.
New Construction Residential
Increasing new construction across the township as buyers tear down 1950s-era split-levels and ranches to build custom homes. The Coventry and Chestnut Hill sections are seeing the most custom builds.
History of Livingston, NJ
Named after William Livingston, the first Governor of New Jersey and a framer of the United States Constitution who served 13 consecutive terms before his death in 1790. The township's first town meeting was held on February 5, 1813, when about 100 people — mainly farmers — lived in the area.
In 1702, settlers purchased land from the Lenni Lenape for 130 pounds. The Horseneck Riots of 1745 to 1755 were a ten-year land dispute between settlers and the East Jersey Proprietors — one of the longest civil conflicts in colonial New Jersey.
The Ward-Force House at 366 South Livingston Avenue was built in 1745 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Thomas Force, a patriot captured during the Revolutionary War, lived here. The adjacent Condit Family Cook House was moved during Livingston Mall construction in the 1970s. Both are now the Livingston Historical Society headquarters.
The Livingston Open tennis tournament (1984 to 1989) was part of the professional Grand Prix circuit. Andre Agassi won the 1988 tournament — his seventh career title — before the circuit was succeeded by the ATP Tour.
Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, a 597-bed hospital established in 1865, relocated from Newark to Livingston in 1964. It remains the township's largest employer and one of the premier medical facilities in northern New Jersey.
The Walter Kidde Dinosaur Park is a 16-acre National Natural Landmark containing dinosaur tracks from the Triassic and Jurassic periods — evidence of the reptiles that roamed this land 200 million years ago.
Livingston's demographic transformation since the 1990s is one of the most significant in suburban New Jersey. The Asian-American population grew to 28.8% by 2020, and the Jewish community represents approximately 46% of the population — creating a uniquely diverse township with two distinct cultural anchors.
Safety in Livingston
Livingston is a very safe community with crime rates far below state and national averages. The township police department (established 1813) maintains community policing, traffic enforcement, and a detective bureau. The poverty rate is just 2.3%.
Notable Residents
Annual Events and Festivals
Frequently Asked Questions About Livingston, NJ
What is the median home price in Livingston, NJ?
The median home price is $775,000 as of 2026, with 5.4% year-over-year appreciation. Average $350/sqft, selling in 20 days.
How long is the commute from Livingston to NYC?
45 minutes via NJ Transit from on the Jitney to South Orange Midtown Direct / Bus to NYC. Transfer required.
What are property taxes in Livingston, NJ?
Tax rate is 2.23%. Average homeowner pays $16,789/year. At the median price of $775,000, expect about $17,283/year.
What are the best neighborhoods in Livingston?
Coventry / Old Short Hills Road ($1,200,000 to $3,000,000). Chestnut Hill ($900,000 to $2,000,000). Northfield ($650,000 to $950,000). South Livingston Avenue ($600,000 to $850,000). West Livingston / Eisenhower ($550,000 to $750,000). See the full guide above for all 7 neighborhoods.
Is Livingston safe?
Livingston is a very safe community with crime rates far below state and national averages. The township police department (established 1813) maintains community policing, traffic enforcement, and a detective bureau. The poverty rate is just 2.3%.
How walkable is Livingston, NJ?
Walk Score of 32, rated "Car-Dependent." Median income $153,000, median age 43.8. 12% renter-occupied.
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