Fair Lawn is one of Bergen County's most popular family towns — good schools, safe neighborhoods, and a 2.35% property tax rate that's below the Bergen County average. Combined with a $575K median, it hits the sweet spot for Bergen County middle-class families.
Fair Lawn Tax Rate
Effective rate: approximately 2.35% (2026)
Bergen County context:
- Alpine: 1.76%
- Paramus: 1.93%
- Fair Lawn: 2.35%
- Ridgewood: 2.42%
- Hackensack: 2.70%
Real Dollar Examples
| Home Price | Annual Tax | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| $450,000 | $10,575 | $881 |
| $575,000 | $13,513 | $1,126 |
| $700,000 | $16,450 | $1,371 |
Fair Lawn median (~$575K) costs $1,126/month in taxes.
Why Fair Lawn Works for Families
- Below-average Bergen County tax rate (2.35% vs 2.5% county average)
- Fair Lawn Public Schools — well-regarded K-12 system
- NJ Transit rail — Radburn station on Bergen Line (NYC transfer at Secaucus)
- Affordable for Bergen County — median $575K vs county $650K
- Safe neighborhoods — Radburn section is especially family-oriented
- Bergen County amenities — close to Paramus shopping, Route 4/17
Fair Lawn vs Similar Bergen Family Towns
| Town | Median | Rate | Monthly Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glen Rock | $815K | 2.22% | $1,508 |
| Wyckoff | $780K | 2.02% | $1,314 |
| Fair Lawn | $575K | 2.35% | $1,126 |
| Bergenfield | $495K | 3.31% | $1,365 |
Fair Lawn costs LESS per month in taxes than higher-priced Glen Rock/Wyckoff AND less than cheaper Bergenfield (whose higher rate eats the price difference).
NJHMFA in Fair Lawn
Bergen County (Blue tier NJHMFA). $15,000 DPA ($22,000 with First Gen) available. Fair Lawn homes in the $400K-$500K range work for stacking.
Bottom Line
Fair Lawn delivers Bergen County family life at a below-average tax rate. The $575K median and 2.35% rate produce one of the most balanced monthly payments in Bergen County. Especially strong for young families choosing between Bergen and Essex County options.
Fair Lawn pre-approval — real 2.35% rate calculations.