Is Maywood NJ a Good Place to Live? An Honest 2026 Guide

Maywood does not always show up first in relocation searches for Bergen County. Towns like Ridgewood, Tenafly, and Montvale tend to dominate the conversations about top schools and suburban appeal. But Maywood deserves a closer look, especially for buyers who want a shorter Manhattan commute and a tight-knit community feel without paying Fort Lee or Edgewater prices.

Located about 16 miles from Midtown Manhattan, Maywood is a densely built borough of roughly 9,600 residents packed into just 1.3 square miles. It straddles the Hackensack River and sits at the crossroads of some of Bergen County's busiest corridors: Route 17, the Garden State Parkway, and Essex Street. That sounds like a drawback for noise, but the residential streets are quiet and tree-lined, and the downtown along West Pleasant Avenue and Maywood Avenue is walkable and genuinely charming.

Here is the full picture of what it is like to live in Maywood in 2026.

Where Exactly Is Maywood?

Maywood sits in eastern Bergen County, bordered by Hackensack to the east, Paramus to the north, Rochelle Park to the west, and Lodi to the south. Its central location means you are never more than 10 minutes from the Garden State Plaza, the Hackensack dining scene, or the retail corridors of Route 17.

The borough's small size gives it a walkable, self-contained feel. You can walk from Maywood Avenue School to the train station, grab groceries at the local market, and stop by a park on your way home — all without getting in a car. That walkability is a genuine asset that few Bergen County suburbs of this size can match.

Schools: Solid Public Education

The Maywood Public School District serves students from Pre-K through 8th grade and earns solid marks from parents and independent reviewers alike. Maywood Avenue School (grades 4–8) ranks in the top 30% of New Jersey public schools and holds an A rating from Niche, placing it among the best middle schools in Bergen County. Memorial School (Pre-K–3) also earns an A– from Niche. Math and reading proficiency rates at both schools are well above state averages.

For high school, Maywood families choose between public options through sending relationships and private or parochial schools in the area. Many students attend Hackensack High School through a sending-receiving relationship, while others opt for the highly regarded Bergen County Academies or private schools in nearby towns. The lack of a standalone Maywood high school is worth noting for families who place a premium on a single aligned K–12 district experience.

For a full comparison of school districts across the region, see our complete Bergen County schools guide.

Home Prices: More Affordable Than Neighboring Towns

Maywood offers one of the more accessible price points in eastern Bergen County. The median sale price as of mid-2026 is approximately $757,000, with median home values around $675,000 to $700,000 depending on the dataset. That is notably lower than Fort Lee (median around $600,000 for condos but over $1 million for single-family homes) and Paramus (where single-family homes regularly exceed $800,000).

The housing stock is a mix of early-to-mid 20th-century homes, including Capes, colonials, ranches, and bungalows, plus a growing number of newer townhome and condo developments. Price per square foot runs approximately $446, and homes in good condition typically go under contract within 30 to 45 days when priced correctly.

If Maywood fits your budget but you want to compare it to other accessible options, see our most affordable towns guide and affordability guide for a full picture.

Property Taxes: In Line With Bergen County

Like every town in Bergen County, Maywood's property taxes are high by national standards but competitive with nearby communities. The effective tax rate is approximately 2.3% to 2.5%, with the average residential tax bill landing around $16,000 to $17,000 per year on a median-priced home. That is roughly $1,350 to $1,400 per month — a meaningful line item in any housing budget, but in line with what you would pay in Rutherford or Hackensack.

For a full breakdown of how property taxes work across Bergen County, see our property taxes guide.

NYC Commute: Bus and Train Options

Maywood is well-connected to Manhattan, with multiple commute options depending on your tolerance for transfers and cost.

• NJ Transit Bus 163: Runs from Maywood to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in roughly 45 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic. This is the most direct option and the one most commuters use.
• NJ Transit Train: Maywood does not have its own train station, but the Anderson Street station in Hackensack (on the Pascack Valley Line) is a short drive or bus ride away. The train to Hoboken takes approximately 32 minutes, with a PATH transfer to Manhattan adding another 10 to 15 minutes.
• Driving: Maywood is about 16 miles from Midtown Manhattan. Off-peak, the drive takes 25 to 30 minutes. Rush hour can stretch to 50 to 70 minutes, plus GW Bridge tolls and NYC congestion pricing.

For more detail on commute patterns, see our NYC commute guide from Northern NJ and Bergen County NYC commute analysis.

Parks and Recreation

Maywood punches above its weight on community events and green space for a town of its size. The Maywood Park District runs youth sports leagues, fitness classes, and community events year-round. Summer brings a regular schedule of concerts in the park, and the borough's annual events — including the Art in the Park/Fall Festival and the Chow Down Food Truck Fest — draw residents from across the area.

The borough also offers access to the Hackensack River walkway and is within a five-minute drive of Overpeck County Park, the 811-acre regional park system in Ridgefield Park and Leonia with walking trails, sports fields, a boathouse, and the Overpeck Golf Range. For a full list of parks across the county, see our parks and playgrounds guide.

Dining and Shopping

Maywood's downtown along West Pleasant Avenue and Maywood Avenue is compact but functional for daily needs, with a pharmacy, bagel shop, pizzeria, delis, and a handful of sit-down restaurants. The dining scene leans toward reliable neighborhood staples rather than destination dining, but the surrounding towns more than make up for it.

Hackensack's Main Street dining scene is a five-minute drive, with options ranging from Korean barbecue to Italian and Latin American restaurants. The Garden State Plaza in Paramus is less than 10 minutes away with over 300 stores and restaurants. And Fort Lee's famous Korean dining corridor is about 15 minutes east. For local recommendations, see our Fort Lee dining guide.

Who Is Maywood Right For?

Maywood is best suited for buyers who want a Bergen County address with a manageable commute, a walkable downtown, and a genuine sense of community, but who may not need or want the premium price tags of Ridgewood, Tenafly, or Glen Rock. It works especially well for first-time home buyers, young families, and commuters who value efficiency over square footage.

If you need a larger home on a bigger lot or want a district with a single aligned K–12 system, towns like River Edge or Oradell may serve you better. But if your priority is a solid school system, a genuinely walkable downtown, and a commute that does not eat your whole morning, Maywood belongs on your short list.