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

Rutherford is a compact Bergen County borough of under three square miles, home to 18,834 residents as of the 2020 Census. It sits on a ridge above the New Jersey Meadowlands, roughly eight miles west of Midtown Manhattan, with the Passaic River along its western edge. A walkable downtown built around a historic train station, a long list of landmark buildings and a housing stock that runs from older single-family homes to newer downtown apartments make it a distinctive place to buy, sell, rent or invest.

Why People Choose Rutherford

Rutherford packs a lot into a small footprint. Its downtown sits right beside the rail station, along Park Avenue, Station Square, Orient Way and Union Avenue, so shops, restaurants, borough hall and the train are all within a few blocks of each other. In 1999 it was one of the first five New Jersey towns designated a Transit Village.

The town also has real history. Poet William Carlos Williams lived and practiced medicine at 9 Ridge Road for about half a century, and the house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. So is the 1898 Rutherford station, built by the Erie Railroad, along with Iviswold, the turreted 1869 mansion that now anchors Felician University's Rutherford campus.

Getting Around: Commuting from Rutherford

• Train: Rutherford station is on NJ Transit's Bergen County Line, running to Hoboken Terminal. Secaucus Junction is the next stop, and transferring there puts New York Penn Station roughly 30 minutes away.
• Bus to New York: NJ Transit's 190 runs through town along Union Avenue and Orient Way to the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Other Port Authority routes, including the 191, 192 and 195, serve the Route 3 and Route 17 corridors.
• Local bus: The 76 stops at Rutherford station on its run between the Hackensack Bus Terminal and Newark Penn Station.
• Shuttles: The borough runs a free weekday Commuter Shuttle to and from the train station for residents on its route, plus a free Downtowner bus that loops through town midday. EZ Ride's 555 shuttle also connects Rutherford and Lyndhurst's train stations.
• Car: Route 17 runs along the borough's southeastern edge and Route 3 along its southwestern edge. The NJ Turnpike's Western Spur crosses the south end, with Exit 16W just over the line in East Rutherford.

Neighborhoods and Housing Types

Rutherford had about 7,370 housing units at the 2020 Census. Here's what you'll find on the market:

• Single-family homes: Found on residential streets around downtown and the station, including the West End section. Ages and updates vary widely from house to house.
• Two-to-four family homes: They come up for sale in Rutherford and are worth watching if you want rental income to help with the mortgage.
• Condos: Condo buildings and complexes appear in several parts of town, giving buyers an entry point below the price of a house.
• Downtown apartments: Newer rental buildings have opened under the borough's redevelopment plans, including The Parker at 106 Park Avenue and the 60-unit Parker 118 at 118 Park Avenue, which began leasing in 2023.

Buying a Home in Rutherford

Rutherford is small, so the number of homes for sale at any one time is limited. Getting pre-approved and knowing the borough's streets before you start touring will help you act with confidence. If you're an FHA buyer, a two-to-four family home can be purchased with a low down payment as long as you live in one of the units.

A few things we help Rutherford buyers check:

• Older-home inspections: For older homes, we pay close attention to wiring, plumbing, heating systems, foundations and any remaining oil tanks.
• Condo association health: Monthly fees, reserves, rental rules and any upcoming special assessments.
• Property taxes: Taxes are a major line in any New Jersey budget. We pull the current tax figure for every home you're considering.
• Location within town: Distance to the station and shuttle routes, and proximity to Route 3 and Route 17, can make a real difference in daily life and resale.

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

Selling Your Rutherford Home

Rutherford gives sellers a strong story to tell: a train station and walkable downtown, landmark architecture and quick highway access to the Meadowlands and Manhattan. Pricing still has to match your specific property. A restored older single-family near downtown, a condo and a two-family each compete against different buyers. We'll prepare a free comparative market analysis based on recent sales of homes like yours, then market it across the MLS and every major online channel.

Renting and Investing in Rutherford

Renters can choose from new downtown buildings like The Parker, condos rented by their owners, and units in two-family homes. We help renters find a place that fits their budget and commute, and we help landlords price, market and screen for their units.

For investors, rail access, a walkable downtown and the Felician University campus all add to Rutherford's appeal. Multi-family listings are not an everyday occurrence in a borough this size, so it pays to be ready when one comes up. We'll help you run realistic numbers on rent, taxes, insurance and condition before you make an offer.

Local Landmarks and Amenities

• Rutherford station on Station Square, an 1898 Erie Railroad depot on the National Register of Historic Places
• Felician University's Rutherford campus, home to the restored Iviswold castle
• The Williams Center, the former Rivoli Theatre on Park Avenue, now privately owned and undergoing renovation
• Meadowlands Museum in the historic Yereance-Berry House on Crane Avenue
• The Kip Homestead on Meadow Road, also on the National Register
• Rutherford Memorial Park, about 30 acres along the Passaic River, plus Lincoln Park across from borough hall and Tamblyn Field near Route 3
• Park Avenue restaurants and shops, including Italian, Thai and bakery options
• Public schools: Rutherford School District, including Rutherford High School

Nearby Town Guides

Comparing Rutherford with nearby towns? Read our guides to East Rutherford, Lyndhurst, Carlstadt and North Arlington, 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 Rutherford.

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.