Matawan, NJ real estate: the numbers, explained.

Home values in Matawan

The NJ Division of Taxation’s 2026 Average Residential Statistics show an average residential sale price of $541,321 across 14 sales used in that report. That is a small sample, so treat it as a rough marker.

The Census Bureau’s survey puts the median value of owner-occupied homes, as estimated by owners, at $467,800 (2020–2024 average), compared with a Monmouth County town median of $666,900.

Matawan property taxes

Matawan’s 2025 general tax rate was 2.087 per $100 of assessed value, and its effective tax rate was 2.263%, higher than the Monmouth County town median of 1.607% and higher than the statewide municipal median of 2.141%. That ranks it #49 lowest of 52 Monmouth County municipalities by effective rate. The average residential tax bill was $11,571 on an average assessment of $554,434 across 2,460 residential properties.

Applied to the average sale price of $541,321, the effective rate implies roughly $12,250 a year ($1,021 a month) in property tax. The Division publishes the effective rate for comparing towns, not for computing a specific bill, so use it as a ballpark.

What it costs to own vs. rent

For a $541,321 home with 20% down ($108,264) and a 30-year fixed loan at 7.18%, Freddie Mac’s national average for the week of November 5, 2026, principal and interest come to about $2,934 a month. With estimated property tax that’s about $3,955, before insurance, any HOA fee and utilities. For comparison, the Census median gross rent in Matawan is $1,824.

Run my numbers for MatawanRent vs buy here

Who lives in Matawan

About 9,710 people live in Matawan. 51.9% of occupied homes are owner-occupied (county town median 72.3%). 46.9% of housing units are single-family detached houses. The median resident age is 34.7, and 43.4% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Median household income is $123,354, about the same as the county town median of $121,908.

The median home in Matawan was built in 1972. Much of the housing predates 1978, so buyers should plan for older-home checks: lead-based paint disclosure, an oil-tank sweep if the house ever had oil heat, knob-and-tube or older electrical, galvanized plumbing, and a sewer-line scope. See the NJ inspection checklist.

Commuting from Matawan

Workers in Matawan average 32.5 minutes each way (those who don’t work from home), about the same as the Monmouth County town median of 32.0 minutes. 5.9% commute by public transportation, so most commuters drive and 21.1% work from home.

Schools

I don’t republish unofficial school scores. For Matawan, start with the New Jersey Department of Education’s School Performance Reports, then confirm the exact school assignment for any address with the district, since some NJ towns send students to regional or neighboring high schools. See how to research NJ schools.

Downtown, food and things to do

The best way to judge Matawan’s restaurants, parks and weekend life is in person. Visit on a weeknight and a Saturday morning, check the town recreation calendar and walk the blocks you’d live on. My town scouting checklist shows what to look for.

My take for buyers, sellers and renters

• Renters: with 48.1% of homes renter-occupied, Matawan has a deep rental market. Line up documents before touring. The move-in calculator shows the cash you’ll need.
• Buyers: taxes run above the county median, so budget on the tax bill, not just the price. Ask for the current bill on every listing.
• Sellers: with fewer public market indexes for Matawan, a comparable-sales analysis matters more. Get a free home value.
• Low turnover: about 14 residential sales were in the state’s 2026 report, so good listings can be scarce. Set alerts and be ready to act.

Nearby towns at a similar price