Chatham vs Madison
Two popular NJ suburbs of New York City, side by side. Here's how they compare on the metrics that matter most to families.
School rating
10/10
9/10
Commute to New York City
59 min
60 min
Median home price
$1.3M
$966K
Annual property tax
$27K
$20K
Walk score
62
72
Density
suburban
suburban
Summary: Madison leads in 3 of 6 metrics. It edges out on median home price, annual property tax, walk score. The best choice depends on your family's priorities.
Character & vibe
Chatham
Quiet excellence. Less showy than Summit, equally great schools, lower taxes.
quietcommunity
Madison
The "Rose City." Understated charm — Drew University adds intellectual energy, downtown is genuinely lovely, and commute is solid.
walkablequietcommunityartsy
Who should pick which?
Pick Chatham if you...
- ·Prioritize top-rated schools above all else
- ·Want the shortest commute to New York City
Pick Madison if you...
- ·Need to keep your home budget in check
- ·Value walkability and a pedestrian-friendly downtown
- ·Want lower annual property taxes
Still deciding?
Burbia scores both Chatham and Madison — and every other town in the New York City Area — based on your specific commute, budget, and priorities. Not a generic list.
Talk to Burbia →