Bergenfield, NJ Real Estate Guide for Buyers, Sellers & Renters

Bergenfield is a borough of just under three square miles in eastern Bergen County, home to about 28,300 residents as of the 2020 Census. It was incorporated in 1894 and borders Teaneck, Englewood, Tenafly, Cresskill, Dumont and New Milford. Bergenfield has no train station. It does have a mile-long Washington Avenue business district, direct buses to Midtown Manhattan and residential streets of one- and two-family homes. Here's what to know before you buy, sell, rent or invest here.

Why People Choose Bergenfield

Most of Bergenfield is homes. The borough's zoning is dominated by one-family and one-and-two-family residential districts, with a smaller garden apartment zone and business zones along the main corridors. Census data shows roughly 70 percent of housing units are owner-occupied, so this is mainly a market of buyers and long-term owners, with a smaller rental market alongside.

The town's commercial spine is Washington Avenue. Bergenfield's Special Improvement District runs about a mile along it, from the Teaneck line to the Dumont line, and promotes more than 50 international restaurants and food stores. Borough Hall is also on Washington Avenue, at 198 North Washington Avenue, and the public library is a short walk away on West Clinton Avenue.

Bergenfield is also one of the older settled places in the county, with roots in the early 1700s and several buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Getting Around: Commuting from Bergenfield

• Bus to Manhattan: NJ Transit routes 166 and 167 run to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown, and route 186 runs to the George Washington Bridge Bus Station.
• Local bus: Routes 753, 756 and 772 connect Bergenfield with other North Jersey towns.
• Rail: Bergenfield has had no passenger rail service since 1959, when the New York Central ended passenger trains on the West Shore line through the borough. If you prefer the train, the Pascack Valley Line runs through nearby River Edge and Hackensack.
• Local roads: Washington Avenue, Main Street, Prospect Avenue, River Edge Road and New Bridge Road are the main routes through town.

Neighborhoods and Housing Types

Bergenfield's market is best understood by housing type and zoning:

• Single-family homes: These make up most of the borough's residential streets. In a borough that has been building homes since the 1890s, expect a range of styles, lot sizes and levels of updating.
• Two-family homes: The R-5 and R-6 zones permit both one- and two-family homes, so two-families are part of the housing mix. They're worth a look for owner-occupants who want rental income.
• Garden apartments: Bergenfield has a dedicated garden apartment zone, and these older low-rise complexes supply a good share of the town's rentals.
• Newer apartment buildings: Bella at Bergenfield, a 62-unit building at 15 West Johnson Avenue just off Washington Avenue, opened in 2020 on a site that had sat vacant for nearly a decade. It offers one- and two-bedroom units with a roof deck, gym and lounge.
• Redevelopment near downtown: The borough has a redevelopment plan for Block 122, which covers properties on West Church Street, Tyson Place, North Front Street and North Demarest Avenue. An amendment that would change setbacks and building height was introduced in September 2026. We track plans like this for clients buying nearby.

Buying a Home in Bergenfield

Single-family homes make up most of Bergenfield's inventory, which suits buyers who want a house and a yard within bus range of the city. Two-families are also an option. With an FHA loan, you can buy a two-to-four family property with a low down payment as long as you live in one of the units, and the rent from the other unit helps with the mortgage.

A few things we help Bergenfield buyers check:

• Older-home inspections: With older housing stock, we recommend a thorough inspection of the roof, electrical, plumbing, heating and any oil tank history.
• Zoning and legal use: Before you buy a two-family, we confirm that the second unit is a legal one under the borough's zoning.
• Property taxes: Taxes are a major part of any New Jersey budget. We pull the current tax figure for every home you're considering.
• Commute fit: If you'll take the bus into the city, we look at how far the home is from the 166, 167 and 186 routes.

Need financing? We can connect you with a lender for pre-approval before you start touring.

Selling Your Bergenfield Home

Because most Bergenfield homes are owner-occupied, buyers looking specifically for a house here have a limited set of listings to choose from, and a well-presented home can stand out. Pricing still has to match the property. A renovated single-family, a two-family with tenants in place and a home that needs work each appeal to different buyers. We'll prepare a free comparative market analysis based on recent Bergenfield sales of homes like yours. Then we market your home through the MLS and every major online channel.

Renting and Investing in Bergenfield

Bergenfield's rentals come from garden apartment complexes, newer buildings like Bella at Bergenfield, and units in two-family homes. For renters, the Washington Avenue area offers walkable shopping and dining along with bus access to Manhattan. For investors, two-families are the most common entry point. We help investors work through realistic rents, taxes, insurance and condition before they buy, and we help landlords price, market and screen tenants.

Local Landmarks and Amenities

• Cooper's Pond park on West Church Street, with its historic waterwheel. A federally funded restoration was announced in 2023 to dredge the pond and renovate the field house, bathrooms and walkways.
• Washington Avenue Special Improvement District shopping and dining corridor
• Bergenfield Public Library, 50 West Clinton Avenue
• Public schools: Bergenfield Public Schools, including Bergenfield High School and Roy W. Brown Middle School

Nearby Town Guides

Comparing Bergenfield with nearby towns? Read our guides to Dumont, Teaneck, New Milford and Tenafly, or browse all of our North Jersey town guides.

Talk to a Local Broker

The Thompson Realty Group is a licensed New Jersey real estate brokerage based at 20 MacArthur Ave in Garfield, serving buyers, sellers, renters and investors across Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic and Union counties. Whether you're a first-time FHA buyer, a cash investor, or a homeowner wondering what your place is worth, we'll give you straight answers about Bergenfield.

Call or text 201-928-5562 or book a free 15-minute consultation. You can also search every active New Jersey listing on our website.

Information on this page is provided for general guidance and is believed accurate as of October 2026. Programs, ordinances, taxes and transit schedules change, so please verify details for any specific property. Equal Housing Opportunity.