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

Leonia is a compact Bergen County borough of about 9,300 residents as of the 2020 Census, set between Fort Lee and Teaneck just west of the George Washington Bridge. In just over a square and a half miles it combines a walkable center along Broad Avenue, a long stretch of Overpeck County Park, and a housing stock that includes homes dating back to the 1700s. Here's what buyers, sellers, renters and investors should know about Leonia.

Why People Choose Leonia

Location is the first draw. Leonia borders Fort Lee, Englewood, Teaneck, Palisades Park and Ridgefield Park, and the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) runs along its northern edge, so the GWB and Manhattan are close without living right on the bridge approaches.

The second draw is history. Leonia was incorporated as a borough on December 5, 1894, but the area is much older. Washington's army retreated through what is now Leonia on November 20, 1776, marching down today's Fort Lee Road. Grand Avenue was the original town center, and the borough's oldest house dates to 1765. Around the turn of the 20th century, Leonia became an artists' colony, and a summer school of illustration opened here in 1915.

Getting Around: Commuting from Leonia

• Bus to Manhattan: NJ Transit's 166 runs along Broad Avenue to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown, and the 182 connects Leonia with the George Washington Bridge Bus Station. Local NJ Transit routes also serve the borough.
• Car: Route 93 (Grand Avenue) runs north-south through the center of town. The Turnpike/I-95 runs along the northern border, and U.S. 1/9 and U.S. 46 are just over the line in Fort Lee, which puts the GWB within a short drive.
• Future light rail: Leonia has no passenger rail station today. NJ Transit's proposed extension of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail would add stops in North Bergen, Ridgefield, Palisades Park, Leonia and Englewood. In November 2025 the agency moved forward with a new Draft Environmental Impact Statement. The project is still in planning and has no construction date.

Neighborhoods and Housing Types

Most of Leonia is residential, and about 70% of homes are owner-occupied according to Census estimates. The borough's Master Plan treats the detached single-family home as its main housing type and calls for more variety where it makes sense. What you'll find:

• Single-family homes: Most of the borough's housing, in a wide range of ages and styles.
• Historic homes: Leonia still has occupied homes from before and just after the Revolution and from the early-to-mid 1800s. The borough's Master Plan lists historically significant sites, and more than a dozen historic markers stand around town.
• Broad Avenue: The central business district, where retail and offices sit alongside multifamily buildings. It's the go-to area for apartment and mixed-use options close to shops and the 166 bus.
• Grand Avenue: The historic main road through town, with homes, businesses and civic buildings. Parts of the corridor have been designated an Area in Need of Redevelopment.

Buying a Home in Leonia

Leonia is mostly single-family, so the purchase process is usually simpler than in co-op or condo towns. It still takes some homework. A few things we help buyers check:

• Older-home inspections: Many homes have been standing for a century or more. Look closely at foundations, roofs, electrical, plumbing, heating systems and any past additions, and confirm that permits were closed out.
• Flood exposure: Some low-lying properties in Leonia flooded during Hurricane Sandy, and the borough enforces a flood damage prevention ordinance. We check FEMA flood maps and insurance needs for any home you're considering.
• Multi-unit properties: If you find a two-to-four family property, an FHA loan lets you buy it with a low down payment as long as you live in one of the units. Rent from the other units can help with the mortgage.
• Property taxes: Taxes are a major part of any New Jersey budget. We pull the current tax figure for every home you're considering.

Ready to start? We can connect you with a lender for pre-approval before you begin touring.

Selling Your Leonia Home

In a small borough with a limited number of homes, a well-prepared listing stands out. The GWB location and the Broad Avenue bus line are selling points, and so are the architecture and history of an older home. We'll prepare a free comparative market analysis based on recent sales of homes like yours, help you decide which repairs are worth making before you list, and market your property across the MLS and every major online platform.

Renting and Investing in Leonia

With most homes owner-occupied, Leonia's rental supply is limited. Units come up in the multifamily buildings around Broad Avenue and in houses scattered around town, so we help renters move quickly when the right one comes along. For investors, the housing picture is changing. In 2026 the Planning Board reviewed an amended Housing Element and Fair Share Plan, new affordable housing zoning for borough-owned sites on Grand Avenue and Spring Street, and an amended redevelopment plan for the borough's mixed-use zones. We'll help you look at realistic rents, taxes, insurance and condition, and at how the zoning changes could affect a property, before you commit.

Local Landmarks and Amenities

• Overpeck County Park: Leonia's section includes the Bergen Equestrian Center, an all-weather running track, lighted tennis courts, a bicycle-pedestrian path, an off-leash dog park and the county's World Trade Center Memorial
• Wood Park on Broad Avenue, with playgrounds, basketball and tennis courts, and a softball field
• Sylvan Park and Upper Sylvan Park on Grand Avenue, plus Station Park, Kirkland Park and the Dudley C. Allen Dog Park
• Leonia Swim Club
• Civil War Drill Hall and Armory on Grand Avenue, built in 1859 and home of the Players Guild of Leonia
• The Vreeland House on Lakeview Avenue, built in 1786 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places
• Leonia Public Library on Fort Lee Road
• Public schools: Leonia Public Schools, including Leonia High School

Nearby Town Guides

Comparing Leonia with nearby towns? Read our guides to Fort Lee, Englewood, Palisades Park and Teaneck, 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 Leonia.

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.