Which has lower property taxes, River Vale or Washington Township?

Washington Township has the lower average property tax bill: $13,480 against $17,198 in River Vale (2025).

Which has better schools, River Vale or Washington Township?

Washington Township has the higher-ranked high school option in U.S. News (#113 in New Jersey against #118 for River Vale).

River Vale

Washington Township

By Slava Zborovsky · Updated October 22, 2026

River Vale vs Washington Township

Homes cost more in River Vale: a typical value of $990K against $834K in Washington Township, about 19% higher.

Washington Township has the lower average property tax bill: $13,480 against $17,198 in River Vale (2025).
Washington Township has the higher-ranked high school option in U.S. News (#113 in New Jersey against #118 for River Vale).
By train, River Vale is the quicker commute to New York Penn (51 minutes at the fastest, against 55).
Values rose faster in River Vale over the past year (7.7% against 6.9%).

River Vale and Washington Township, side by side

River Vale

Washington Township

Typical home value (Zillow): $990,000source$834,000source
Change in home value, past year: 7.7%6.9%
Average property tax bill (2025): $17,198source$13,480source
Effective tax rate (2025): 2.236%source1.943%source
High school: Pascack Valley HSWestwood Regional HS
Best high school option, NJ rank (U.S. News): #118source#113source
Niche grade: AsourceAsource
Train to NY Penn (AM peak): 51-66 minutes from Westwoodsource55-69 minutes from Hillsdalesource
Own train station: NoNo
Road miles to the GW Bridge: 13.512.9
Population: 10,0589,323
Land area (sq mi): 4.072.953
Median household income: $213,666$180,133
Owner-occupied homes: 90%97%
NJ seller transfer costs at the typical value: $9,459$7,665

River Vale vs Washington Township: home values, taxes, schools and commute
	River Vale	Washington Township
Typical home value (Zillow)	$990,000source	$834,000source
Change in home value, past year	7.7%	6.9%
Average property tax bill (2025)	$17,198source	$13,480source
Effective tax rate (2025)	2.236%source	1.943%source
High school	Pascack Valley HS	Westwood Regional HS
Best high school option, NJ rank (U.S. News)	#118source	#113source
Niche grade	Asource	Asource
Train to NY Penn (AM peak)	51-66 minutes from Westwoodsource	55-69 minutes from Hillsdalesource
Own train station	No	No
Road miles to the GW Bridge	13.5	12.9
Population	10,058	9,323
Land area (sq mi)	4.07	2.953
Median household income	$213,666	$180,133
Owner-occupied homes	90%	97%
NJ seller transfer costs at the typical value	$9,459	$7,665

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

River Vale

Wide, quiet streets and Pascack Valley High School, minutes from Westwood.

Full town guide

Washington Township

A residential township that shares the Westwood Regional schools.

River Vale vs Washington Township: questions

Is River Vale or Washington Township more expensive?: Homes cost more in River Vale: a typical value of $990K against $834K in Washington Township, about 19% higher.
Which has lower property taxes, River Vale or Washington Township?: Washington Township has the lower average property tax bill: $13,480 against $17,198 in River Vale (2025).
Which has better schools, River Vale or Washington Township?: Washington Township has the higher-ranked high school option in U.S. News (#113 in New Jersey against #118 for River Vale).

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