Why Live in Chatham
Chatham, NJ, pronounced CHAT-um, offers a blend of small-town charm and big-city access, featuring an old-fashioned Main Street and a direct train to NYC. The neighborhood is known for its strong sense of community, with residents often engaging in local activities and events. Main Street is lined with diverse family businesses, including Namkeen, a Pakistani restaurant, and Scalini Fedeli, an upscale Italian eatery. For shopping, options range from handcrafted gifts at Purple Aardvark to kids' toys at Jabberwocky, with grocery stores like ShopRite and Kings Food nearby. The Mall at Short Hills, with 140 high-end stores, is just minutes away. Chatham hosts several annual events, such as the 4th of July parade and the Fishawack Festival. The neighborhood features quiet, residential streets with well-maintained 1930s colonials, townhomes, and condos, including the luxury Enclave. Homes in the borough are older and close to the train, while those in the township are larger with bigger lots. The Chatham School District is highly rated, with schools like Milton Avenue, Southern Boulevard, Washington Avenue, Lafayette School, Chatham Middle School, and Chatham High School, which offers unique programs like fencing and sailing. Recreational activities include the Colony Pool Club, Memorial Park Pool, and the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. The midtown direct train provides service to NYC in under an hour, and Newark International Airport is a 20-minute drive away. Local involvement opportunities include the Chatham Players theater group and the Library of the Chathams.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chatham a good place to live?
Chatham is a good place to live. Chatham is considered very car-dependent and somewhat bikeable. Chatham is a suburban neighborhood with a crime score of 1, making it safer than the average neighborhood in the U.S. Chatham has 7 parks for recreational activities. It is fairly sparse in population with 3.0 people per acre and a median age of 43. The average household income is $210,435 which is above the national average. College graduates make up 80.3% of residents. A majority of residents in Chatham are home owners, with 18.7% of residents renting and 81.3% of residents owning their home. A
local real estate agent serving Chatham can help you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for you. Learn more on our
Chatham neighborhood guide.
Is Chatham, NJ a safe neighborhood?
Chatham, NJ is safer than the average neighborhood in the United States. It received a crime score of 1 out of 10.
How much do you need to make to afford a house in Chatham?
The median home price in Chatham is $417,000. If you put a 20% down payment of $83,400 and had a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 6.72%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be $2,160 a month plus property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and utilities. Using the 28% rule, you would need to make at least $93K a year to afford the median home price in Chatham. The average household income in Chatham is $210K.
What are the best public schools in Chatham?
The best public schools that serve Chatham are:
What are the best private schools in Chatham?
The best private schools that serve Chatham are:
What are the most popular zip codes in Chatham, Chatham, NJ?
Home Trends in Chatham, NJ
On average, homes in Chatham, NJ sell after 67 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Chatham, NJ over the last 12 months is $425,500, down 14% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Median Sale Price
$425,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$414,995
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$425,500
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$336,498
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$272
Number of Homes for Sale
6
Last 12 months Home Sales
69
Median List Price
$417,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
3%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-14%