
Why People Love Matawan / Aberdeen
Matawan / Aberdeen in Monmouth County, New Jersey, is popular with buyers who want a true suburban feel, strong commuter options, and a solid public school system. Together, Matawan Borough and Aberdeen Township form a connected community that many locals simply call Matawan / Aberdeen, with shared schools, amenities, and a convenient location between New York City and the Jersey Shore.
If you are thinking about moving to Matawan / Aberdeen, this guide will walk you through location, commuting, schools, property taxes, real estate, and everyday lifestyle so you can decide whether this could be the right place to call home. The goal is to give you the kind of practical, real-world information buyers and renters ask for every day when they explore Matawan / Aberdeen.
Where Matawan / Aberdeen Is Located
Matawan / Aberdeen sits in northern Monmouth County, close to the Middlesex County line, which puts it in a great spot for anyone who needs access to both New York City and central New Jersey job centers. The communities sit just off the Garden State Parkway near Exit 117, making it easy to hop on the highway whether you are heading north toward the city or south toward other Monmouth County towns and the Jersey Shore.
Within a short drive from Matawan / Aberdeen, you can reach Holmdel, Marlboro, Old Bridge, Hazlet, and other neighboring towns, which means plenty of choices for shopping, dining, and services. Major local roads like Route 34, Route 35, and Route 36 give residents multiple routes to navigate the area and avoid some of the heavier highway traffic at peak times.
Commuting From Matawan / Aberdeen
For many buyers, the biggest selling point of Matawan / Aberdeen is how commuter-friendly it is. The Aberdeen-Matawan train station is on NJ Transit’s North Jersey Coast Line, offering service toward New York Penn Station with some direct trains and others that connect through Newark, giving commuters several options based on time of day. You can check schedules and routes at the NJ Transit site: https://www.njtransit.com.
Drivers in Matawan / Aberdeen typically use the Garden State Parkway to travel to North Jersey, Staten Island, or back down into the rest of Monmouth County. Many residents also take advantage of park-and-ride bus options that connect Matawan / Aberdeen and nearby communities to New York City and Jersey City, which can be appealing for commuters who prefer not to drive or deal with city parking.
The Matawan-Aberdeen School System
Families moving to Matawan / Aberdeen usually start their research with the public school district. The Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District serves students from both municipalities, covering grades pre-K through 12, and is a central part of community life. The district’s homepage is the best place to find calendars, programs, and contact information: https://www.marsd.org.
The district includes multiple elementary schools, a middle school, and Matawan Regional High School, giving students a clear path from their earliest school years through graduation. According to state classifications, the district falls into a relatively higher socio-economic grouping compared to many other districts in New Jersey, which is often one factor buyers consider.
School Ratings and Parent Research
Many parents researching Matawan / Aberdeen look at independent rating and review sites as one part of their decision-making process. On Niche, the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District earns a solid overall grade, with strong marks in academics, teachers, diversity, and college prep, along with detailed written reviews from parents and students; you can view the breakdown here: https://www.niche.com/k12/d/matawan-aberdeen-regional-school-district-nj.
GreatSchools offers another perspective, with profiles for each school in the district, test score summaries, and information about equity and student progress. Their Matawan-Aberdeen district overview is available at https://www.greatschools.org/new-jersey/aberdeen-township/matawan_aberdeen-regional-school-district, which can be helpful if you are comparing Matawan / Aberdeen to other New Jersey communities.
Understanding Property Taxes in Matawan / Aberdeen
New Jersey is known for higher property taxes, and Matawan / Aberdeen generally follows that pattern, although individual tax bills can vary widely based on location, assessment, and property value. Recent data sources place the median effective tax rate in Matawan in the mid-2 percent range, which is slightly below the New Jersey state average but still well above national averages.
For many homes in and around Matawan / Aberdeen, annual property tax bills commonly fall into the mid- to high four figures or low five figures, with some homes seeing bills around the 9,000 to 10,000 dollar range and others paying more depending on assessed value. Buyers should always check the current tax information for specific properties as part of their budgeting before making an offer.
Where to Find Tax Information
Both Matawan Borough and Aberdeen Township maintain online resources with property tax information, billing schedules, and payment options. Matawan’s tax collector page provides details on due dates, grace periods, and ways to pay: https://www.matawanborough.com/matawan/Borough%20SERVICES/Tax%20Collector.
Aberdeen Township uses an online portal that lets homeowners review their account and make payments, which can be accessed through the township’s tax collector information or directly through the Edmunds GovTech payment system: https://wipp.edmundsassoc.com/Wipp/?wippid=1301. If you are planning a move to Matawan / Aberdeen, checking these sites will give you a realistic sense of ongoing carrying costs beyond your mortgage payment.
Real Estate Market in Matawan / Aberdeen
The real estate market in Matawan / Aberdeen offers a mix of price points and home styles that appeal to first-time buyers, move-up buyers, and downsizers. Various housing market reports for Matawan show median home values and sale prices that have climbed over the past few years, reflecting strong demand for commuter-friendly suburbs like Matawan / Aberdeen.
Depending on the data source and time frame, the market has seen median list prices around the upper 400,000s and closed sale medians in the 600,000 range, with many homes selling relatively quickly and often close to or above asking price. For anyone looking at Matawan / Aberdeen, it is wise to study recent sales in your target neighborhood and price range so you can understand how competitive offers may need to be.
Types of Homes in Matawan / Aberdeen
In Matawan / Aberdeen, you will find a blend of older character homes and more modern construction. Near the historic core of Matawan, there are older colonials and classic styles with charm and walkability, while many parts of Aberdeen Township offer mid-century and newer subdivisions, some with larger lots and cul-de-sacs.
Single-family homes are the most common option in Matawan / Aberdeen, but there are also townhome communities and some condos that can be a good fit for first-time buyers or those who want lower-maintenance living. Because Matawan / Aberdeen is attractive to commuters, homes that are closer to the train station or offer especially easy access to the Parkway tend to receive strong interest when they hit the market.
Cost of Living and Housing Affordability
Compared with some of the higher-priced waterfront and luxury communities in Monmouth County, Matawan / Aberdeen can feel more attainable while still offering many of the same regional advantages. Housing is the largest component of the cost of living here, and buyers should factor in both purchase price and property taxes to understand their true monthly payment.
Renters in Matawan / Aberdeen will see the influence of the local tax and price environment in their monthly rents, with many three-bedroom rentals often priced somewhere in the upper 2,000s to low 3,000s, depending on condition and location. Everyday expenses like groceries, utilities, and services are similar to what you will find across central New Jersey, and the presence of nearby shopping corridors helps keep options competitive.
Parks, Recreation, and Outdoors
Living in Matawan / Aberdeen gives residents easy access to both local parks and larger Monmouth County recreational areas. Around town, you will find community parks, athletic fields, playgrounds, and local recreation programs that host sports, camps, and seasonal activities for kids and adults.
Just a short drive from Matawan / Aberdeen, residents can enjoy popular county parks, the Henry Hudson Trail, and access to Raritan Bay and the Jersey Shore, depending on how far they want to go for a day outdoors. Many residents appreciate that they can live in Matawan / Aberdeen, commute during the week, and still be close to beaches, trails, and open space for weekends and days off.
Shopping, Dining, and Everyday Convenience
Another advantage of Matawan / Aberdeen is how convenient everyday life can be. The area is surrounded by shopping along Route 34, Route 35, and Route 36, where you will find supermarkets, pharmacies, big-box stores, fitness centers, and professional services.
Downtown Matawan provides a more traditional, small-town main street environment with restaurants, coffee spots, and local businesses that help give Matawan / Aberdeen a distinct identity. Within a short drive, you can reach larger shopping centers and malls in neighboring towns, so it is rare to feel like you need to travel far for anything you need day to day.
Community Feel and Lifestyle
Matawan / Aberdeen has a true suburban community feel, with a mix of long-time residents and newcomers relocating from other parts of New Jersey or from New York. Sidewalks in many neighborhoods, local sports, and school-based events make it easy for residents to connect and get to know their neighbors.
Because the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District serves both municipalities, school events, performances, and sports tend to bring the community together across town lines, which strengthens the shared Matawan / Aberdeen identity. Many people who move here are looking for that blend of community connection, access to nature, and commuting convenience that can be hard to find in one place.
Who Matawan / Aberdeen Is Right For
Matawan / Aberdeen is especially well-suited to commuters who need regular access to New York City, Jersey City, or North Jersey but do not want to live directly in the city. The combination of the train station, bus options, and Parkway access makes Matawan / Aberdeen a strong choice for professionals who value both time and flexibility.
The area is also a good fit for families who want a regional school system, a range of home styles, and a community-oriented lifestyle without being in a tourist-heavy shore town. First-time buyers, move-up buyers, and even downsizers can all find options in Matawan / Aberdeen, from starter homes and townhouses to larger colonials or more manageable smaller homes closer to amenities.
Tips for Moving to Matawan / Aberdeen
If you are considering a move to Matawan / Aberdeen, spend time exploring each neighborhood, commute route, and nearby amenity in person at different times of day. Check recent sales and days on market in your target price range so you know how quickly you may need to act and what kind of offer strategy is realistic.
It is also smart to review the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District site at https://www.marsd.org, along with the local tax pages for Matawan and Aberdeen and current housing market reports on sites like Realtor.com, Redfin, or Zillow, to understand pricing trends and property taxes for the specific areas you are considering. Partnering with a local real estate professional who knows Matawan / Aberdeen can help you match your lifestyle, commute, and budget to the right neighborhood and property type.

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Hi, I’m Cori Dunphy, your trusted Monmouth County real estate expert and a local agent with RE/MAX Central. I proudly serve buyers and sellers across Monmouth, Ocean, and Middlesex Counties.
After over two decades helping clients across New Jersey, I bring a unique blend of deep local knowledge, sharp market insight, and a focused, confident approach to every transaction. Think of me as your seasoned guide, ready to make your real estate journey straightforward and successful.
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