Ramsey and Ridgewood often end up on the same house-hunting list, and it’s easy to see why. Both are northwest Bergen County towns built around a railroad station, both have a walkable downtown, and both send commuters into New York on the same NJ Transit lines.
But they aren’t the same place. Ridgewood has nearly twice the population, higher home prices and a much larger downtown, with dozens of restaurants. Ramsey is smaller, with lower prices and a compact Main Street of shops, cafes and bakeries.
The surprise is in the taxes. Ridgewood homeowners pay more on average, even though its effective tax rate is lower. Here’s how the two towns compare, number by number.
Ramsey vs. Ridgewood at a glance
| Measure | Ramsey | Ridgewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2025 estimate) | about 14,900 | about 26,500 |
| Land area | 5.5 sq mi | 5.7 sq mi |
| Typical home value, Sept. 2026 | about $884,000 | about $1,255,000 |
| One-year change in home value | +10.4% | +11.6% |
| Five-year change in home value | +37.6% | +50.0% |
| Average residential tax bill, 2025 | $15,131 | $20,596 |
| Effective tax rate, 2025 | 2.068% | 1.944% |
| Owner-occupied share of occupied homes | 79.2% | 82.5% |
| Median gross rent | $2,245 | $2,499 |
| Median household income | $160,996 | $208,211 |
| Mean commute to work, all destinations | 32 minutes | 35 minutes |
| NJ Transit train stations | 2 | 1 |
| Public schools | 5 | 10 |
Census housing, rent, income and commuting figures are 2020–2024 estimates; population is the July 2025 estimate and land area is from the 2020 Census. Sources: Ramsey QuickFacts and Ridgewood QuickFacts. Home values use the September 2026 Zillow dataset used in our Bergen County housing market analysis; taxes use the state’s 2025 tables.
Home prices: Ridgewood costs about $370,000 more
The biggest difference is the price of entry. In September 2026, Zillow put the typical home value at about $1.255 million in Ridgewood and about $884,000 in Ramsey, a gap of roughly $370,000.
Both towns have been climbing fast. Over the past year, Ridgewood rose 11.6% and Ramsey 10.4%. Over five years the gap widened: Ridgewood’s typical value rose about 50%, Ramsey’s about 37.6%.
Keep in mind what these numbers measure. Zillow’s index covers all homes, houses and condos together, so a town’s mix of housing affects its typical value. To compare like with like, look at similar houses, same size and type, in each town.
Property taxes: the rate is lower in Ridgewood, but the bill is higher
This is where many buyers get confused, so it’s worth slowing down.
Ridgewood’s general tax rate in 2025 was 2.890%, against Ramsey’s 2.059%. Those percentages use assessed values, and the towns’ assessment bases differ. Comparing the general rates alone does not tell you which town has the higher tax burden.
For comparing towns, the state publishes an effective rate: 1.944% for Ridgewood and 2.068% for Ramsey in its 2025 rate table. This is a statistical comparison. New Jersey explicitly says not to use the effective rate to compute a tax bill.
The average residential bill in 2025 was $20,596 in Ridgewood and $15,131 in Ramsey, a difference of $5,465 a year, or about $455 a month. Those averages describe different sets of properties; they are not quotes for the house you are considering.
For a buyer, the useful next step is to check the actual property’s assessment and tax record. A bill uses the taxable assessment and the applicable general rate, not the asking price or Zillow’s estimate. Our Bergen County property-tax guide explains the distinction.
Commuting
Both towns sit on NJ Transit’s Main Line and Bergen County Line, with service to Hoboken and transfers at Secaucus Junction for New York Penn Station. The difference is in the details.
Ramsey has two stations. Ramsey Main Street is the historic downtown stop, where NJ Transit lists weekend parking as free. For weekday commuter permits, use the borough’s current rules: resident permits cost $50 for the first car and $25 for each additional car, running August to August.
Ramsey Route 17 is a park-and-ride with about 1,200 spaces. NJ Transit lists the same rates for residents and non-residents: $5.99 a day or $79.99 a month, with $4.99 daily weekend parking. Check the operator’s current rate before parking. ShortLine buses also serve the Route 17 corridor into New York.
Ridgewood has one station in the middle of downtown, with a ticket office open weekday mornings. Use the village’s current parking rules, rather than the older rates on NJ Transit’s page. The 2026 annual Premium permit, which includes the train-station lot, costs $1,500 for residents or $1,800 for non-residents, with the required free sticker. Resident daily passes are another option; a permit does not guarantee a space. Ridgewood also has a bus terminal at Van Neste Square.
The Census puts the mean commute at about 32 minutes in Ramsey and 35 in Ridgewood. Those figures cover workers traveling to all destinations; they are not train times to Manhattan. Ridgewood is farther south and closer to Manhattan, but compare the actual door-to-door trip from each house.
Downtown, dining and shopping
This is the clearest lifestyle difference. Ridgewood’s downtown, which locals call “Town,” centers on East Ridgewood Avenue and is packed with restaurants: Japanese, Thai, Korean, Indian, Lebanese, Greek, French and many Italian restaurants within a few blocks, plus BYOB spots. Our guide to where to eat in Ridgewood covers more than 30 of them.
Ramsey’s downtown is smaller and quieter, along East and West Main Street near the station. It has independent boutiques, an Italian pastry shop, a Japanese market and breakfast spots. Its standout is the Ramsey Farmers Market, which sets up at the train station on Sundays, year-round, subject to weather cancellations. For bigger errands, Ramsey residents head to the stores along Route 17.
Both towns follow Bergen County’s Sunday sales restrictions, which cover categories including clothing, furniture and appliances. That restricts sales of those goods; it does not mean every business must close.
Schools
Each town runs its own pre-K–12 district. Ridgewood Public Schools has 10 schools: a pre-K school, six elementary schools, two middle schools and Ridgewood High School. Ramsey School District has five: two pre-K–3 elementary schools, one grade 4–5 school, Eric S. Smith Middle School and Ramsey High School.
In Ridgewood, check which of the six elementary schools a house is zoned for. In Ramsey, check which of the two pre-K–3 schools a house feeds into; after that, all students share the same upper schools.
Parks and recreation
Ridgewood has Graydon Park’s beach-style swimming pool, and the village’s recreation facilities include ball fields and a hockey rink. Ramsey has Finch Park, Suraci and Garrison ponds, and the Ramsey Municipal Pool with slides and diving boards in season. Ramsey is also the closer of the two to Ramapo Valley County Reservation in Mahwah, Bergen County’s largest park area.
Which town is right for you?
Ramsey may suit you if:
- You want to spend less, about $370,000 less for a typical home
- You’d like two train stations, including a park-and-ride open to everyone
- You prefer a smaller, quieter downtown, with a farmers market every Sunday
- You want quick access to Route 17 and the Ramapo Mountains
Ridgewood may suit you if:
- You want a big, lively downtown with dozens of restaurants within walking distance
- You can budget for higher typical home values and a higher town-wide average tax bill
- You prefer a larger district with six elementary-school attendance areas
- A slightly shorter distance to Manhattan matters to you
In the end, visit both on the same day: a weekday morning at each station, lunch on Main Street in Ramsey, dinner on East Ridgewood Avenue. The numbers narrow the choice. How each town feels decides it.
For a closer look at Ramsey, read our guide to homes, neighborhoods and daily life.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ramsey cheaper than Ridgewood?
On the September 2026 Zillow measure, yes: Ramsey’s typical home value was about $884,000, against about $1.255 million in Ridgewood. Individual listings vary.
Are property taxes higher in Ramsey or Ridgewood?
The average residential bill was higher in Ridgewood: $20,596 against $15,131 in 2025. Ridgewood’s effective rate was lower, but that comparison rate cannot calculate a particular home’s bill. Check the property’s actual tax record.
Which town has a better commute to New York?
Both use the Main and Bergen County rail lines. Ramsey has two stations, including the Route 17 park-and-ride. Ridgewood has one downtown station; its current Premium parking permits are available to residents and non-residents. Compare schedules, parking availability and your door-to-door journey.
How big are Ramsey and Ridgewood?
Ramsey has about 14,900 residents and Ridgewood about 26,500, on similar land areas of roughly 5.5 and 5.7 square miles.
Sources and updates
Information checked October 21, 2026. This comparison uses the September 2026 home-value snapshot and 2025 tax figures. Home values, taxes, parking fees and schedules change. Check current official sources and the record for any specific property before deciding.
U.S. Census Bureau: Ramsey QuickFacts.
U.S. Census Bureau: Ridgewood QuickFacts.
New Jersey Division of Taxation: 2025 general and effective tax rates.
New Jersey Division of Taxation: 2025 average residential statistics.
New Jersey Division of Taxation: definitions and use of general and effective rates.
Borough of Ramsey: current commuter parking.
Village of Ridgewood: current parking rules and permits.
NJ Transit: Ramsey Main Street station.
NJ Transit: Ramsey Route 17 station.
NJ Transit: Ridgewood station and ticket-office hours.
Ramsey Farmers Market: Sunday operation and weather notices.
New Jersey Department of Education: Ramsey school list and grades.
New Jersey Department of Education: Ridgewood school list and grades.
Borough of Ramsey: recreation and facilities.
Village of Ridgewood: recreation facilities.
