Which has lower property taxes, Alpine or Saddle River?

Saddle River has the lower average property tax bill: $20,339 against $23,291 in Alpine (2025).

Which has better schools, Alpine or Saddle River?

Alpine has the higher-ranked high school option in U.S. News (#23 in New Jersey against #35 for Saddle River).

Alpine

Saddle River

By Slava Zborovsky · Updated October 22, 2026

Alpine vs Saddle River

Homes cost more in Alpine: a typical value of $3.26M against $2.43M in Saddle River, about 34% higher.

Saddle River has the lower average property tax bill: $20,339 against $23,291 in Alpine (2025).
Alpine has the higher-ranked high school option in U.S. News (#23 in New Jersey against #35 for Saddle River).
Alpine has no rail service to New York; commuters there drive or take the bus.
Values rose faster in Alpine over the past year (13.4% against 13.3%).

Alpine and Saddle River, side by side

Alpine

Saddle River

Typical home value (Zillow): $3,262,000source$2,432,000source
Change in home value, past year: 13.4%13.3%
Average property tax bill (2025): $23,291source$20,339source
Effective tax rate (2025): 0.794%source1.03%source
High school: Tenafly HSNorthern Highlands Regional HS
Best high school option, NJ rank (U.S. News): #23source#35source
Niche grade: A+sourceA+source
Train to NY Penn (AM peak): No railsource55-63 minutes from Waldwicksource
Own train station: NoNo
Road miles to the GW Bridge: 7.716.5
Population: 1,5883,389
Land area (sq mi): 6.4014.916
Median household income: $246,944$212,143
Owner-occupied homes: 92.7%84.1%
NJ seller transfer costs at the typical value: $134,805$75,542

Alpine vs Saddle River: home values, taxes, schools and commute
	Alpine	Saddle River
Typical home value (Zillow)	$3,262,000source	$2,432,000source
Change in home value, past year	13.4%	13.3%
Average property tax bill (2025)	$23,291source	$20,339source
Effective tax rate (2025)	0.794%source	1.03%source
High school	Tenafly HS	Northern Highlands Regional HS
Best high school option, NJ rank (U.S. News)	#23source	#35source
Niche grade	A+source	A+source
Train to NY Penn (AM peak)	No railsource	55-63 minutes from Waldwicksource
Own train station	No	No
Road miles to the GW Bridge	7.7	16.5
Population	1,588	3,389
Land area (sq mi)	6.401	4.916
Median household income	$246,944	$212,143
Owner-occupied homes	92.7%	84.1%
NJ seller transfer costs at the typical value	$134,805	$75,542

Bold marks the lower cost, higher-ranked school or shorter trip. Sources: Zillow Home Value Index (2026-08-31); NJ Treasury 2025 tax rates and average residential bills; U.S. News and Niche school rankings; NJ Transit timetables; U.S. Census ACS 2020-2024. Road miles calculated.

Full town guide

Alpine

Gated estates above the Palisades, minutes from the George Washington Bridge.

Full town guide

Saddle River

Estate properties on generous acreage, and some of the most private addresses in New Jersey.

Alpine vs Saddle River: questions

Is Alpine or Saddle River more expensive?: Homes cost more in Alpine: a typical value of $3.26M against $2.43M in Saddle River, about 34% higher.
Which has lower property taxes, Alpine or Saddle River?: Saddle River has the lower average property tax bill: $20,339 against $23,291 in Alpine (2025).
Which has better schools, Alpine or Saddle River?: Alpine has the higher-ranked high school option in U.S. News (#23 in New Jersey against #35 for Saddle River).

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