Moving to Franklin Lakes NJ: What You Need to Know in 2026

If you have driven Route 208 through the northwestern corner of Bergen County and noticed the wooded hillsides and long driveways, you have been looking at Franklin Lakes. The town of roughly 10,000 residents is built around Franklin Lake and a handful of smaller ponds, and it trades the density of the GWB corridor for acreage, privacy, and nature, with median household income above $230,000.

The trade-off is distance from Manhattan and a price point far above the county average. Before you tour estates, here is an honest look at what the move actually involves. Our deeper Franklin Lakes town guide fills in the neighborhood-by-neighborhood detail.

What Is the Vibe of Franklin Lakes?

Franklin Lakes sits in northwestern Bergen County, bordered by Wyckoff to the north and Oakland to the west. The character is estate living: colonials, contemporaries, and lakefront properties set back from quiet roads, with a small hub around Franklin Avenue.

The town is built around the outdoors: the 50,000-plus acres of state parks and preserves nearby, the county's 250-plus miles of trails, and lakes that draw paddleboarders and kayakers in summer and ice skaters in winter.

What Do Homes Cost in Franklin Lakes in 2026?

Franklin Lakes is in a different price tier from most Bergen County towns. The typical home value sits around $1.35 million, with median sale prices from about $1.1 million to $3 million depending on the property, the lot, and lake frontage. This is not an entry-level market.

Inventory is thin at the top of the market, so buyers who want a specific lake or street should be ready to act. For price context across the county, our guide to Bergen County home prices covers the range.

What Are Property Taxes Like?

Franklin Lakes property taxes are among the highest dollar figures in New Jersey. The 2025 average residential tax bill was roughly $20,700. The effective rate is approximately 1.4 to 1.5 percent, lower as a percentage than the statewide median, but the bill is steep because home values are so high.

Budget for taxes as a real monthly cost on top of your mortgage. Our Bergen County property tax guide explains how rates and appeals work town by town.

How Are the Schools?

Franklin Lakes Public Schools runs the K-8 span with four schools, including two elementaries and Franklin Avenue Middle School. The district is consistently strong, with small class sizes and a well-funded program.

For grades 9 through 12, Franklin Lakes partners with the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District, and this is the town's signature advantage: students choose between Ramapo High School, which sits in Franklin Lakes, and Indian Hills High School in nearby Oakland. Both rank among the top public high schools in New Jersey. The Bergen County schools guide compares the district options.

How Is the Commute to New York City?

This is the biggest trade-off, and it is important to be honest about it. Franklin Lakes has no train station of its own. The drive to the George Washington Bridge runs about 35 to 40 minutes off-peak down Route 208 to Route 4, stretching to 60 to 70 minutes in peak rush hour. Train commuters drive 10 to 15 minutes to the Ramsey or Waldwick stations on the Main/Bergen County Line, then ride about 60 minutes to Penn Station, and ShortLine buses reach the Port Authority in about 59 minutes with limited daily departures.

The practical takeaway: Franklin Lakes works best for people who work in northern Bergen County or commute less than five days a week. Our complete NYC commute guide compares every option.

Where Do Locals Shop and Play?

Daily errands center on the Urban Farms shopping center at the edge of town, home to a well-regarded Whole Foods and several restaurants, along with the Franklin Crossing plaza. For bigger shopping trips, Paramus, Ridgewood, and Mahwah are all within a 15-minute drive.

Outdoors, the town's lakes and trails cover most weekends, and the county parks system adds golf, tennis, and playing fields close by. It is a quiet rhythm that suits people who want nature at the door.

Who Is Franklin Lakes Right For?

Franklin Lakes suits buyers who prioritize space, privacy, top-tier schools, and outdoor recreation over walkability and a short commute. It works well for established families, and it is one of the few New Jersey towns where your child can choose between two excellent public high schools.

It is probably not right for first-time buyers, anyone who needs a sub-30-minute Manhattan commute, or buyers who want a walkable downtown. For the right buyer, though, Franklin Lakes is hard to beat, and I would love to help you weigh it against Wyckoff, Oakland, and the rest of northwest Bergen.