$1,692,548Average Value$639Average Price per Sq Ft75Homes For Sale
Cape May may be America's oldest beach town
Cape May is a small coastal town at the southern tip of New Jersey, historically known as America's first seaside resort. It became a summer destination for Philadelphians in the mid-1700s, and after Congress Hall opened in 1816, the town rapidly grew into a major resort. Today, the city is known not only for its beaches but for its historic homes and elegant old hotels. "It's a great place to live if you love the beach and you love history," says Emily Marchese, owner of Marchese Real Estate. "When it's not tourist season, it can feel a little out of the way, but for a lot of people, that's the point."
Visitors of Cape May are drawn by beautiful beaches, historic architecture and quaint shops.
Elegant hotels sit on the beach, perfect for a summer rental for families and friends in Cape May.
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Victorian homes and modern beach houses
The city is known for its historic architecture. In 1878 a fire burned down much of the town, and the rebuilding that followed left Cape May with hundreds of Victorian-era homes. the entire city is a National Historic Landmark noted for one of the largest existing collections of late 19th-century architecture in the country. While Victorian houses make up a sizable chunk of the local housing inventory, a variety of home styles can be found around town, including midcentury ranch-style homes, coastal condos, and towering beach houses. Condos in the city generally sell for $500,000 to $1 million, while more modes of 20th-century properties usually go for $750,000 to $1.3 million. Historic Victorian homes and modern beach houses can sell for anywhere from $1.5 million to $5 million.
Cape May is known for its historic Victorian homes, which were built after much of the city burned down in 1878.
Luxury homes of Cape May sit steps away from the beach and a paved promenade.
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Cape May's pristine beaches
Cape May maintains over two miles of Atlantic Ocean beachfront, which are staffed with lifeguards throughout the summer. These guarded beaches lie behind a paved promenade that runs nearly the full length of the town and is popular with walkers and runners. Cape May Wetlands State Natural Area borders the town to the west, separating it from nearby Cape May Point. The Natural area is home to miles of trails and is a popular birdwatching spot during migration seasons. There are also a number of inland green spaces in town, like Kiwanis Community Park, which features a pond, playground and basketball courts.
Make sure your bring your binoculars before you climb atop the watchtower at Cape May Point State Park.
Grab the surf rods and down to the beaches at Cape May Point State Park for the striper run.
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The bustling Washington Street pedestrian mall
Downtown Cape May is centered around Congress Street, Jackson Street and the pedestrian Washington Street Mall and serves as the local retail and restaurant hub. It's also home to the local ACME Markets, Cape May's only supermarket. The Washington Street pedestrian mall hosts dozens of quaint local shops, selling everything from books to cheese to clothing. Both the mall and the streets surrounding it are home to a variety of cafes, restaurants and bars, many of which have been part of the fabric of the community for decades. Nearby Beach Avenue is lined with hotels and restaurants, offering patrons an unobstructed view of the Pacific.
Cape Atlantic Book Co. is located in Cape May in an indoor mall.
Delaney's is a Cape May favourite for an ice cold beer and filling lunch or dinner.
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Cape May Schools
The city is served by the Cape May City School District for elementary and Lower Cape May Regional School District for middle and high school. Cape May City Elementary has a B grade on Niche, while Richard M. Teitelman Middle School has a C-plus. Lower Cape May Regional High School has a B and offers dual credit courses through nearby Atlantic Cape Community College.
Cape May City Elementary School is available for year round residents to prepare their kids for high school.
Richard M. Teitelman School has 433 students in grades 7-8 with a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1.
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The Exit Zero Jazz Fest and other events
Every year, the city holds a beachfront Fourth of July fireworks display launched from a barge off Congress Hall, and an Independence Day parade marches down Beach Avenue. The Exit Zero Jazz Festival is held twice a year in spring and fall and brings national and international jazz performers to stages at Convention Hall and seaside bars. Autumn in Cape May features Victorian Weekend, an annual October festival that includes house tours, costumed events and vintage baseball games. In winter, the city hosts the West Cape May Christmas Parade.
Getting in and out of town
While most residents rely on cars to get around, Cape May is compact enough that many residents prefer to rely on bikes or their own two feet during the warmer part of the year. The city runs a free shuttle service from Memorial Day through Labor Day, connecting to many of the more heavily touristed parts of town. The city is at the end of a peninsula, so getting out of town generally means heading north, either along the Garden State Parkway toll road or State route 9. The one alternative to this is the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, which takes about 85 minutes to cross the Delaware Bay and runs from April through October. It's about 45 miles from the city to Atlantic City International Airport and 90 miles to Philadelphia.
Written By
Andrew Moreno
Photography Contributed By
Jesse Roehrer
Video By
Chris Norton
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Francis Jannotta,
an experienced agent in this area.
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On average, homes in Cape May, NJ sell after 57 days on the market compared to the national average of 57 days. The median sale price for homes in Cape May, NJ over the last 12 months is $701,000, up 11% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to your summer escape at Cape Landing, an over-55 community. This 2018 two-bedroom, one-bath model has everything you need for seasonal living or year-round comfort and has mostly been recently updated. The hot water heater is just 1 year old, the air conditioning condenser is 10 months old, and the unit features brand new flooring plus newer bathroom, kitchen sink and faucet, oven, and
Recently Renovated 4 Bedroom Home Near Beaches, Golf & Shopping! Welcome to this beautifully updated 4-bedroom, 1.5-bath single-family home ideally located just minutes from the beaches, fishing, golf courses, and shopping. This move-in ready property features a long list of recent upgrades, including: New luxury vinyl plank flooring, Brand-new kitchen with quartz countertops and new cabinetry,
Welcome to 19 Tern Street, a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom quad unit located in the Bay Gardens section of North Cape May, adjacent to preserved acres of the Cape Island Wildlife Management Area. This home is conveniently located near the bayside beaches of North Cape May—approximately 2 miles away—and less than 5 miles from the ocean beaches of Cape May. Bay Gardens is a mix of single-family homes, twin
Colleen WhiteTim Kerr Sotheby's International Realty
A rare offering! Welcome to this spacious, fully renovated 4-bedroom, 2-bath ranch, nestled in a desirable neighborhood in Erma. Thoughtfully updated throughout, this home features a new roof, siding, HVAC system, flooring, kitchen, and bathrooms, along with a detached garage and more. Situated on a generous 100x100 corner lot, the property is conveniently located just minutes from the Wildwoods
Welcome to 23 Taylor Lane, the large, comfortable, well maintained and stylish single family home with plenty of land, located close to the beach and downtown of Cape May that you’ve been looking for. We all know the inventory south of the Cape May Canal has been very sparse over the past several years, to say the least. But, now this spectacular property in Cold Spring Estates is available to
Surround yourself with the ambiance of Victorian Charm in Cape May. Welcome to 225-227 Windsor Avenue, a timeless coastal retreat nestled in the heart of Cape May. Perfectly positioned just moments from the beach and the charm of Cape May’s historic district, this property captures the essence of seaside living with a blend of classic character and modern comfort. This inviting home offers 6
Oceanfront Living at 1205 Beach Avenue, Unit 3 – Cape May. Experience the best of Cape May from this beautiful beachfront 4-bedroom, 3-full bath townhouse perfectly positioned along iconic Beach Avenue. With breathtaking, unobstructed ocean views and direct beach access, this exceptional residence offers the perfect blend of comfort, space, and coastal lifestyle—furniture is being conveyed with
Surround yourself with the ambiance of Victorian Charm in Cape May. Welcome to 225-227 Windsor Avenue, a timeless coastal retreat nestled in the heart of Cape May. Perfectly positioned just moments from the beach and the charm of Cape May’s historic district, this property captures the essence of seaside living with a blend of classic character and modern comfort. This inviting home offers 6
The historic Thomas Webster House, built in 1876, prominently located at the corner of Washington Street and Madison Avenue offers an ideal, elevated location with easy access to Cape May’s award winning beaches, the numerous unique shops along the Washington Street Mall, the fine Victorian architecture of the Historic District and many well renowned restaurants and cafes. This fabulous property
ONLY seven homes from the Delaware BAY, this charming 4-bedroom, 1.5-bath COTTAGE offers the perfect blend of CHARACTER and opportunity. A welcoming, OVERSIZED front porch sets the tone, leading into a BRIGHT and AIRY living room featuring durable wood-look vinyl flooring that flows seamlessly throughout the home. The living space opens to a dedicated dining area with staircase access to the
Don't miss your chance to own this versatile split-level on a desirable corner lot on the westside of Bayshore. With three bedrooms, two full baths, and an abundance of outdoor living space, four car parking this property checks every box for a shore home, investment, or primary residence. Step inside to a bright, open-concept main level where the living room, dining area, and kitchen flow
The Merry Widow on Historic Jackson Street offers a rare opportunity to own a top-floor, cjavascript:void(0);ompletely remodeled condo crafted by one of Cape May’s premier builders. Overlooking the iconic Washington Street Mall and picturesque Jackson Street, this residence places you just steps from Cape May’s best shopping, dining, and beaches—an unbeatable location for those who want to be in
Pristine New Construction Ranch – Your Coastal Retreat Awaits! Everything is brand new and waiting for you! This stunning 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom ranch offers the perfect blend of modern comfort and effortless single-level living. From the beautiful flooring throughout to the sleek new appliance package, every detail is ready for immediate occupancy. The primary suite has a walk in closet and
Welcome to your summer escape at Cape Landing, an over-55 community. This 2018 two-bedroom, one-bath model has everything you need for seasonal living or year-round comfort and has mostly been recently updated. The hot water heater is just 1 year old, the air conditioning condenser is 10 months old, and the unit features brand new flooring plus newer bathroom, kitchen sink and faucet, oven, and
Black Duck Nest. Penthouse Level. Elevated Luxury Living in the Heart of Town Poised above one of the town’s most charming and walkable corridors, the Black Duck Residences—located at 101 Sunset Boulevard, with Black Duck Landing on the second floor and Black Duck Nest on the third—offer a rare opportunity for elevated, effortlessly refined coastal living. Set above the tranquil and beautifully
The advertised rate of $9,742/month is the lowest available price, based on a 30 day(s) stay with a move-in date of October 25, 2026.Rates vary depending on the duration of stay, season, and other parameters. For exact pricing and additional pricing components, please visit our website and enter your desired move-in and move-out dates. The rate is applicable when billed upfront; it can be
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