Best Places to Live in Ocean & Monmouth County, NJ: A Town-by-Town Guide
Ocean County and Monmouth County stretch along dozens of miles of Jersey Shore coastline, bays and rivers, plus quiet inland suburbs with easy access to the Garden State Parkway. "The Shore" means something different in every town. Here is a local's guide to some of the best places to live, grouped by lifestyle, to help you narrow your search.
Ocean County vs. Monmouth County at a glance
| Â | Ocean County | Monmouth County |
|---|---|---|
| Typical single-family price (Aug 2026 median) | About $650,000 | About $815,000 |
| Feel | Beach towns, bay living, larger lots, active-adult communities | Walkable downtowns, historic shore towns, top-rated suburbs |
| Commuting | Garden State Parkway, Route 9, Route 37 | Parkway, NJ Transit North Jersey Coast Line, ferry to Manhattan |
Median prices: MLS data for August 2026 single-family sales, reported by New Jersey Real Estate Network.
Best for beach-town living
Point Pleasant Beach
A classic boardwalk town with the Manasquan Inlet, fishing fleets, restaurants and a train station on the North Jersey Coast Line. Expect a lively summer and a relaxed off-season.
Manasquan
Small-town charm with a walkable Main Street, a well-loved beach and inlet surfing, and NJ Transit rail access. Homes here are in steady demand.
Long Beach Island (LBI)
An 18-mile barrier island with towns ranging from family-friendly Surf City and Ship Bottom to quieter Loveladies and Barnegat Light. Popular for second homes and investment properties.
Belmar and Spring Lake
Belmar offers an energetic boardwalk and nightlife; neighboring Spring Lake is known for its non-commercial boardwalk, Victorian homes and quiet, upscale streets.
Best for walkable downtowns and culture
Red Bank
One of the Shore's best downtowns, with restaurants, shops, the Count Basie Center for the Arts and the Navesink River. Commuter rail makes it a favorite for people who work in North Jersey or New York.
Asbury Park and Ocean Grove
Asbury Park's music scene, restaurants and boardwalk sit right next to Ocean Grove's historic Victorian streets and Great Auditorium. Together they offer everything from condos to restored historic homes.
Island Heights
A small, historic borough on the Toms River with Victorian homes, a riverfront boardwalk and a strong sense of community. Inventory is limited, so it pays to be ready when a home comes up.
Best for families and space
Toms River
One of Ocean County's largest towns, with a wide range of price points, neighborhoods on the bay and river, shopping, parks and easy Parkway access. A great fit for buyers who want options.
Brick
Waterfront lagoon homes, beach access in the Normandy Beach area and established inland neighborhoods. Brick offers a lot of Shore lifestyle for the money.
Holmdel and Colts Neck
Larger lots, quiet roads and a suburban feel in northern Monmouth County. Holmdel is home to the Bell Works hub and PNC Bank Arts Center; Colts Neck is known for horse farms and estate properties.
Freehold and Manalapan
Western Monmouth towns with a historic downtown in Freehold Borough, plenty of newer subdivisions and convenient access to Routes 9, 33 and 18.
Best value and active-adult options
Manahawkin (Stafford Township) and Barnegat
Close to LBI without island prices, with newer construction, bay access and growing amenities.
Manchester and Berkeley Townships
Home to many of Ocean County's 55-plus communities. In August 2026 the county's adult-community median was about $330,000, making these towns a popular choice for downsizers.
How to choose the right town
- Compare total monthly cost, not just price. Property taxes, flood insurance and HOA fees vary a lot from town to town.
- Visit in the off-season and on a summer Saturday. Beach towns feel very different in January than in July.
- Check flood zones on any home near the water, and ask for the seller's flood disclosure early.
- Test your commute at the times you will actually drive or ride.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to live in Ocean County or Monmouth County?
Generally Ocean County. In August 2026 the median single-family sale was about $650,000 in Ocean County versus about $815,000 in Monmouth County, though prices vary widely by town.
Which Jersey Shore towns have train service to New York?
Towns on NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line include Red Bank, Long Branch, Asbury Park, Belmar, Spring Lake, Manasquan and Point Pleasant Beach, among others.
Where are the 55-plus communities at the Shore?
Ocean County has a large concentration, especially in Manchester, Berkeley, Toms River and Jackson.
Find your town with a local
The CRESI Group lives and works at the Shore. Tell us how you want to live and we will show you the towns and homes that fit. Search homes for sale, read our Fall 2026 market update, or contact our team.
Sources: Ocean County market update (MLS data); Monmouth County market update (MLS data).
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