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Homes in Emerson, NJ

Emerson

Homes in Hillsdale, NJ

Hillsdale

By Slava Zborovsky · Updated

Emerson vs Hillsdale

Homes cost more in Hillsdale: a typical value of $867K against $798K in Emerson, about 9% higher.

  • Emerson has the lower average property tax bill: $15,316 against $15,874 in Hillsdale (2025).
  • Emerson has the higher-ranked high school option in U.S. News (#103 in New Jersey against #118 for Hillsdale).
  • By train, Emerson is the quicker commute to New York Penn (48 minutes at the fastest, against 55).
  • Values rose faster in Hillsdale over the past year (9.6% against 7.1%).

Emerson and Hillsdale, side by side

Emerson

Hillsdale

Typical home value (Zillow)
$798,000source$867,000source
Change in home value, past year
7.1%9.6%
Average property tax bill (2025)
$15,316source$15,874source
Effective tax rate (2025)
2.423%source2.301%source
High school
Emerson Jr/Sr HSPascack Valley HS
Best high school option, NJ rank (U.S. News)
#103source#118source
Niche grade
B+sourceAsource
Train to NY Penn (AM peak)
48-63 minutessource55-69 minutessource
Own train station
YesYes
Road miles to the GW Bridge
11.213.5
Population
7,30510,144
Land area (sq mi)
2.2312.902
Median household income
$155,536$186,688
Owner-occupied homes
91.8%92.8%
NJ seller transfer costs at the typical value
$7,284$8,032

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

Emerson

A compact borough with its own station on the Pascack Valley Line.

Full town guide

Hillsdale

Tree-lined streets and a train station in the middle of the Pascack Valley. Slava's family settled here.

Emerson vs Hillsdale: questions

Is Emerson or Hillsdale more expensive?
Homes cost more in Hillsdale: a typical value of $867K against $798K in Emerson, about 9% higher.
Which has lower property taxes, Emerson or Hillsdale?
Emerson has the lower average property tax bill: $15,316 against $15,874 in Hillsdale (2025).
Which has better schools, Emerson or Hillsdale?
Emerson has the higher-ranked high school option in U.S. News (#103 in New Jersey against #118 for Hillsdale).

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