Essex County NJ NYC Commute Guide 2025: Train Times, Costs & Best Towns for Commuters

For NYC professionals seeking suburban quality of life without sacrificing career access, Essex County offers an unbeatable combination: 20-35 minute train commutes, significantly lower housing costs than Bergen County, and top-ranked school districts. As a mortgage advisor who's helped hundreds of NYC commuters relocate to Essex County, I've identified clear winners for different commute priorities and budget levels. ## NJ Transit Lines Serving Essex County Morristown Line (Main line): - Stations: Short Hills, Millburn, Maplewood, South Orange, Orange - Destination: Penn Station NYC - Travel time: 23-35 minutes - Frequency: Every 15-20 minutes (peak hours) - Monthly pass: $340-$380 Montclair-Boonton Line: - Stations: Montclair (3 stations), Glen Ridge, Bloomfield - Destination: Penn Station NYC - Travel time: 35-45 minutes - Frequency: Every 20-30 minutes (peak) - Monthly pass: $360-$400 Newark Penn Station (PATH connection): - PATH to WTC/33rd Street: 15-20 minutes - NJ Transit to Penn Station: 15 minutes - Total from Newark neighborhoods: 30-40 minutes Morris & Essex Line: - Serves: Millburn, Short Hills, Summit - Destination: Penn Station NYC (Midtown Direct) - Travel time: 23-28 minutes (Short Hills) - Express trains available ## Best Towns for NYC Commuters Fastest Commutes (Under 30 minutes): 1. Short Hills/Millburn - 23-28 minutes - Median price: $1,318,800 - Parking: $150-$200/month - Pass: $340/month - Total commute cost: $490-$540/month 2. South Orange - 28-32 minutes - Median price: ~$600,000 - Parking: $100-$150/month - Pass: $340/month - Total cost: $440-$490/month 3. Newark (PATH) - 30-35 minutes total - Median price: $337,800 - PATH pass: $89/month (SmartLink) - Parking: $75-$100/month (or walk) - Total cost: $164-$189/month Best Value for Commuters (Price vs. Commute): 4. Maplewood - 32-35 minutes - Median price: ~$650,000 - Commute cost: $440-$490/month - Value score: Excellent schools, walkable village 5. Nutley - 35-40 minutes - Median price: $488,900 - Commute: Bus to NYC or drive to Newark - Value score: Most affordable with reasonable commute 6. Bloomfield - 38-42 minutes - Median price: $623,300 - Commute cost: $400-$450/month - Value score: Diverse, accessible, appreciating ## Monthly Commute Cost Breakdown Premium Towns (Short Hills, Millburn): - Monthly rail pass: $340 - Parking at station: $150-$200 - Gas to/from station: $20-$30 - Total: $510-$570/month ($6,120-$6,840/year) Mid-Market (Maplewood, Montclair, South Orange): - Monthly rail pass: $340-$360 - Parking: $100-$150 - Gas: $15-$25 - Total: $455-$535/month ($5,460-$6,420/year) Budget-Friendly (Newark via PATH): - PATH SmartLink: $89/month - Walk/bike to station: $0 - Total: $89/month ($1,068/year) - Savings vs. premium: $5,052-$5,772/year ## Commute Time Comparison (Door-to-Door) From Short Hills to Midtown Manhattan: - Drive to station: 5-10 min - Park and walk to platform: 5 min - Train to Penn Station: 23-28 min - Walk to office: 5-15 min - Total: 38-58 minutes From Montclair to Midtown: - Drive to station: 5-10 min - Park and walk: 5 min - Train: 35-40 min - Walk to office: 5-15 min - Total: 50-70 minutes From Newark (Ironbound) to Financial District: - Walk to Penn Station Newark: 10-15 min - PATH to WTC: 15-20 min - Walk to office: 5-10 min - Total: 30-45 minutes ## Parking at Stations Millburn Station: - Permit parking: $150/month (waitlist) - Daily: $8 - Spaces: 600+ (often full) Maplewood Station: - Permit: $100/month - Daily: $6 - Spaces: 400 Montclair Stations (3 total): - Permit: $100-$125/month - Daily: $5-$7 - Spaces: 300-500 per station Pro tip: Many commuters bike or get dropped off to save $1,200-$2,400/year. ## Remote Work Considerations Hybrid Schedule Impact: With 2-3 days/week in office: - Monthly pass less economical (consider 10-trip tickets) - Flexibility to avoid peak trains - Less parking stress - Can live farther for same weekly commute time 10-Trip Ticket Costs: - Short Hills/Millburn: $120 (vs. $340 monthly) - Montclair: $135 (vs. $360 monthly) - Savings for 2 days/week: $1,500-$2,000/year ## Best Commuter Towns by Budget Premium ($800K-$1.5M): 1. Short Hills/Millburn (23-28 min) 2. Glen Ridge (35-40 min) 3. Montclair (35-45 min) Mid-Market ($500K-$800K): 4. Maplewood (32-35 min) 5. South Orange (28-32 min) 6. Verona (38-42 min via Bloomfield) Entry-Level (Under $500K): 7. Nutley (35-40 min) 8. Bloomfield (38-42 min) 9. Newark (30-35 min via PATH) ## Reverse Commute Options If working in suburban NJ offices (Parsippany, Morristown, etc.): - Easier parking at home station - Less crowded trains - Shorter commute times - Lower housing costs than Bergen County ## Ready to Find Your Perfect Commuter Town? Choosing the right Essex County town balances commute time, housing budget, school quality, and lifestyle. Let's discuss financing options for your ideal location. 📞 Call Jimmy Joseph MBA: (908) 698-0150 🌐 Get Pre-Approved: https://www.cmghomeloans.com/mysite/jimmy-joseph Serving all 22 Essex County NJ municipalities