Bergen County's Most Affordable Towns and Boroughs

 

It’s no secret that Bergen County, New Jersey can be an expensive place to call home. Homes are far less affordable than the national average, and according to some statistics, the overall cost of living hovers around 20% higher than the national average as well. But despite being one of the most expensive home markets in the state, prospective home buyers can still find good value occasionally, especially in pockets of Bergen County that tend to be more affordable than others.

 

Bergenfield is conveniently located just over 3 miles north of Teaneck, NJ and Route 4, one of Bergen County’s primary thoroughfares. Depending on who you talk to, some say Bergenfield is one of Bergen County’s best destinations for anyone looking for a new home, and a lot of that has to do with its affordability. Unlike many Bergen County towns, you won’t find multi-million dollar mansions or estates dominating the Bergenfield housing landscape but rather a quaint collection of modest Cape Cods, Colonials, and split-level homes that often start in the $400,000s. Bergenfield’s tree-lined downtown streets also offer a quintessential suburban setting that’s walkable and inviting, only enhancing the town’s overall desirability for anyone in the market for an affordable Bergen County home.

 

The city of Hackensack is Bergen County’s most populous municipality, and it also acts as the county seat as well. Along with a bustling Main Street full of locally-owned shops, ethnic restaurants, and countless diners and cafes, Hackensack also offers buyers some pretty favorable home prices as well. Like Bergenfield, smaller Cape Cods and cottage-style homes are where you’ll find the best value, as these and other charming residences regularly price between $450,000 and $600,000. And thanks to a larger downtown, mid-rise and high-rise condos are also an option in Hackensack, which usually start in the mid-to-upper $300,000s.

 

 

Named after the Italian city of Lodi in the Lombardy region of Italy, Bergen County’s version of Lodi clearly has more of an American suburb flair to it. In fact, you’ll find the vibe around town is almost entirely residential outside of its Memorial Drive/Main Street stretch, which is more shopping center and big box store centric than your typical “Main Street” that’s lively and walkable. But if quiet residential streets and a low-key setting is more your speed, Lodi should certainly be considered a great landing spot for Bergen County home buyers prioritizing affordability. Smaller fixer upper homes can be had for under $400,000 in Lodi, and even larger move-in ready residences can often be found between $550,000 and $650,000. And with easy access to Highway 46, getting to and from just about anywhere in Bergen County is relatively convenient from Lodi as well.

 

If you’re considering a move to Bergenfield, why not also take a look at Dumont, NJ, which only lies just over 1 mile directly north? Centered around the historic Old North Church that was built all the way back in 1801, Dumont’s downtown charm is not only undeniable but about as inviting as it gets as well. Simply put, if you’ve looking for the quintessential small town setting that still has plenty of life around it, Dumont is one of Bergen County’s better, more affordable places to consider. Even fairly good size, 3-4 bedroom homes on generous lot sizes rarely exceed $800,000 in Dumont with many of the smaller Craftsman, Colonial and split-level homes averaging around $550,000 to just over $600,000. As a smaller Bergen County town, though, inventory can sometimes be limited, so be sure to act quick if you find an affordable home here you like.