NJLiving Hub
Mercer County

Princeton, NJ

In Princeton, Mercer County: the 2025 average residential tax bill is $23,373 a year, the NJ Transit monthly pass to New York Penn Station is $549 a month and median rent is $2,636 a month.

Avg. tax bill
$23,373 / year Above NJ average
NJ Transit pass
$549 / month
Median rent
$2,636 / month
Graduation rate
92.8% Above NJ average

Sources: NJ Division of Taxation (Updated February 2026) · NJ Transit (Updated July 2026) · U.S. Census ACS (Updated January 2026) · NJDOE (2024-25 school year, published May 2026)

Monthly cost of owning in Princeton Estimate

Enter a price: no default is shown for Princeton.

Enter a home price to see your estimated monthly cost in Princeton.

Talk to a local expert about Princeton

Adjust down payment, rate, insurance and commute in the full calculator

Sources and how it is calculated

Estimate based on 20% down, a 30-year fixed loan at 7.24%, homeowners insurance, and the NJ Transit pass to New York Penn Station. Flood insurance is a toggle in the calculator (illustrative). Not included: PMI, HOA, utilities and maintenance.

  • Mortgage rate: Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS), 30-year fixed, national weekly average, week of Oct 29, 2026.
  • Property tax: NJ Division of Taxation, 2025 effective tax rates by town, Updated January 2026.
  • Default home price: GSMLS, 2025 closed sales, median sale price, 2025 (Jan 1-Dec 31) (pulled Nov 1, 2026).
  • Commute: NJ Transit, adult monthly pass to NY Penn, NJ Transit fares effective July 1, 2026 (chart confirmed via https://www.njtransit.com/adjustedfares); read 2026-11-01.
  • Homeowners insurance (NJ average premium): $1,551 a year, NAIC Homeowners Report, data year 2023 (report published July 2026).
  • Condo insurance (NJ average premium): $521 a year, NAIC Homeowners Report, data year 2023 (report published July 2026).
  • Flood insurance (illustrative, not a quote): $1,492 a year, FEMA OpenFEMA, policies effective 2025-01-01 to 2025-12-31; dataset asOfDate 2026-09-08; pulled 2026-11-01.
  • Mortgage rate, 15-year fixed: Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS), national weekly average, week of Oct 29, 2026.
  • PMI: not included; ask your lender.

Property taxes

2025 avg. bill$23,373 / yearSource: NJ Division of Taxation · Updated February 2026
2026 estimate$24,048 EstimateSite estimate; not an official NJ figure
Compared with NJ Above NJ averageNJ average $10,340, 2025
$7k$16.5k$26kNJ average bill by year, 2015 to 2025 (NJ Division of Taxation)2015: $17,704. Source: NJ Division of Taxation. Updated June 2016$17,70420152016: $18,336. Source: NJ Division of Taxation. Updated June 20172017: $18,901. Source: NJ Division of Taxation. Updated June 201820172018: $19,389. Source: NJ Division of Taxation. Updated February 20212019: $19,878. Source: NJ Division of Taxation. Updated June 202120192020: $20,295. Source: NJ Division of Taxation. Updated May 20222021: $20,459. Source: NJ Division of Taxation. Updated December 202320212022: $20,490. Source: NJ Division of Taxation. Updated September 20252023: $21,320. Source: NJ Division of Taxation. Updated December 202520232024: $22,658. Source: NJ Division of Taxation. Updated September 20252025: $23,373. Source: NJ Division of Taxation. Updated February 202620252026, Site estimate; not an official NJ figure: $24,048. Source: Site estimate; not an official NJ figure. Updated October 2026$24,0482026PROJECTION
  • Princeton average bill
  • NJ average
  • Site estimate; not an official NJ figure

Up about 32% since 2015. The NJ average is up about 28%.

Sources: NJ Division of Taxation (Updated Jun 2016 to Feb 2026) · Site estimate; not an official NJ figure (Updated October 2026)

Full details & sources

2024 to 2025: +$715 (+3.2%), computed from the two published bills. The vertical axis starts at $7,000, not $0.

2015 to 2025: +$5,669 (+32.0%), computed from the first and last published bills.

Site estimate; not an official NJ figure 2026 projection: $24,048. 2026 projection = 2025 average residential bill x (1 + average annual % change 2020-2025). Source: Site estimate; not an official NJ figure · Updated October 2026

How the projection is calculated

2026 projection = 2025 average residential bill x (1 + average annual % change 2020-2025). Average annual % change = arithmetic mean of the five year-over-year changes (2021/2020, 2022/2021, 2023/2022, 2024/2023, 2025/2024). Inputs (NJ Division of Taxation average residential tax bills): 2020 $20,295, 2021 $20,459, 2022 $20,490, 2023 $21,320, 2024 $22,658, 2025 $23,373. Year-over-year changes: 2021 +0.8081%, 2022 +0.1515%, 2023 +4.0508%, 2024 +6.2758%, 2025 +3.1556%. Average = 2.8884%. Projection = $23,373 x (1 + 0.028884) = $24,048.10, rounded to $24,048. Not a certified or published 2026 bill; NJ has not set a 2026 rate.

2026 average assessment: $863,971. This is an assessment, not a bill. Source: NJ Division of Taxation · Updated October 2026

2025 Above NJ average: $23,373 vs. NJ average $10,340. Source: NJ Division of Taxation · Updated February 2026

2024 Above NJ average: $22,658 vs. NJ average $9,898. Source: NJ Division of Taxation · Updated September 2025

NJ average 2018: Published as printed. The 2018 statewide figure ($8,117) is lower than both 2017 ($8,413) and 2019 ($8,736); kept as published, not adjusted.

View as a data table
Average residential tax bill by year, Princeton, with the NJ average
YearAverage billNJ averageStatusSource and date
2015$17,704$8,106PublishedNJ Division of Taxation · Updated June 2016
NJ average: NJ Division of Taxation · Updated June 2016
2016$18,336$8,288PublishedNJ Division of Taxation · Updated June 2017
NJ average: NJ Division of Taxation · Updated June 2017
2017$18,901$8,413PublishedNJ Division of Taxation · Updated June 2018
NJ average: NJ Division of Taxation · Updated June 2018
2018$19,389$8,117PublishedNJ Division of Taxation · Updated February 2021
NJ average: NJ Division of Taxation · Updated February 2021
2019$19,878$8,736PublishedNJ Division of Taxation · Updated June 2021
NJ average: NJ Division of Taxation · Updated June 2021
2020$20,295$8,915PublishedNJ Division of Taxation · Updated May 2022
NJ average: NJ Division of Taxation · Updated May 2022
2021$20,459$9,076PublishedNJ Division of Taxation · Updated December 2023
NJ average: NJ Division of Taxation · Updated December 2023
2022$20,490$9,274PublishedNJ Division of Taxation · Updated September 2025
NJ average: NJ Division of Taxation · Updated September 2025
2023$21,320$9,569PublishedNJ Division of Taxation · Updated December 2025
NJ average: NJ Division of Taxation · Updated December 2025
2024$22,658$9,898PublishedNJ Division of Taxation · Updated September 2025
NJ average: NJ Division of Taxation · Updated September 2025
2025$23,373$10,340PublishedNJ Division of Taxation · Updated February 2026
NJ average: NJ Division of Taxation · Updated February 2026
2026 Estimate$24,048–Estimate (Site estimate; not an official NJ figure)Site estimate; not an official NJ figure · Updated October 2026

Source: NJ Division of Taxation average residential tax bill reports, each year linked in the data table. Dates are the month each file was last updated on nj.gov, which for older years can be a later re-upload than the original release.

Rates and bills

2025 effective tax rate1.814% of market valueSource: NJ Division of Taxation · Updated January 2026
2025 general tax rate$2.733 per $100 assessedSource: NJ Division of Taxation · Updated January 2026
2024 average tax bill$22,658 / yearSource: NJ Division of Taxation · Updated September 2025
2026 average assessment (an assessment, not a bill)$863,971Source: NJ Division of Taxation · Updated October 2026
2025 average assessment$855,209Source: NJ Division of Taxation · Updated February 2026
2024 average assessment$850,859Source: NJ Division of Taxation · Updated September 2025
2024 average sale price (an average, not a median)$1,389,000Source: NJ Division of Taxation · Updated September 2025
Equalization ratio, tax year 202566.50%Source: NJ Division of Taxation · Updated January 2025
Equalization ratio, tax year 202662.64%Source: NJ Division of Taxation · Updated March 2026

Where the tax rate goes

2025 general rate: $2.733 per $100assessedCounty: $0.82$0.82School: $1.31$1.31Municipal: $0.59$0.592024 general rate: $2.663 per $100assessedCounty: $0.82$0.82School: $1.26$1.26Municipal: $0.58$0.58
  • County
  • School
  • Municipal

2025 share of the rate: county 30.2%, school 48.1%, municipal 21.7%.

2024 share of the rate: county 30.9%, school 47.4%, municipal 21.7%.

Source: NJ Division of Taxation · Updated October 2025 / Updated November 2024

What changed from 2024 to 2025

County+0.002+0.002School+0.052+0.052Municipal+0.016+0.016Total+0.070+0.070

Change per $100 assessed, 2024 to 2025. Computed from the two published rate splits; orange is an increase, green a decrease.

Source: NJ Division of Taxation · Updated November 2024 / Updated October 2025

Compare taxes across towns

Due dates
  • InstallmentsFeb 1 · May 1 · Aug 1 · Nov 1
  • Next dueFeb 1, 2027
  • Last day without interestFeb 10, 2027
More info

Grace period: 10 days.

Last day without interest: 2027-02-10 (Feb 10, 2027 is a Wednesday).

After the grace period, interest is retroactive to the original due date (statutory cap 8% on first $1,500 of delinquency, 18% above).

Source: N.J.S.A. 54:4-66 (installment due dates) and N.J.S.A. 54:4-67 (municipality may set no interest within 10 calendar days); Municipality of Princeton Tax Collector · Updated October 2026
Appeal your assessment

Deadline. Appeals to the county board of taxation must be received on or before April 1, or 45 days after the bulk mailing of the assessment notices is completed in the town, whichever is later. In a town that implemented a municipal-wide revaluation or reassessment, the deadline is May 1. A deadline on a weekend or legal holiday moves to the next business day.

Next regular deadline: Apr 1, 2027. Properties assessed over $1,000,000 may file directly with the NJ Tax Court by the same deadline.

Source: NJ Division of Taxation Assessment and Appeals page · Updated October 2026

File with the Mercer County Board of Taxation. Website · 640 S. Broad Street, Room 317, Trenton, NJ 08650 · 609-989-6704 · Office hours: Appeals accepted 8:30 AM-4:00 PM (board page)

Fax: 609-396-4510

Paper: Form A-1 filed with the board at the Trenton address. Deadline time: Appeals accepted until 4:00 PM (board page hours). Payment: Check payable to County Tax Administrator (per state A-1 instructions). Form: Petition of Appeal Form A-1. Filer must serve copies on the town assessor and clerk (A-1 instructions).

Filing fee by assessed value: under $150,000: $5; $150,000 to under $500,000: $25; $500,000 to under $1,000,000: $100; $1,000,000 or more: $150; classification appeal: $25. Payable to the County Tax Administrator; not refundable. Statewide fee schedule on Form A-1. The Mercer board's page does not state county-specific fees.

Taxes and municipal charges must be paid through Q1 of the current year or the appeal can be dismissed (N.J.S.A. 54:3-27).

Source: Mercer County Board of Taxation page (Internet Archive snapshot of the official page taken 2026-10-18 · Updated November 2026

Schools

4-year graduation rate92.8% Above NJ average2024-25 school year, published May 2026 · Source: NJDOE
Meeting ELA standards76.9% Above NJ average2024-25 school year, published May 2026 · Source: NJDOE
Meeting math standards73.3% Above NJ average2024-25 school year, published May 2026 · Source: NJDOE

Princeton Public School District · district vs. New Jersey

ELA met/exceeded
Princeton
76.9%
NJ
53.0%
Math met/exceeded
Princeton
73.3%
NJ
42.0%
4-year graduation
Princeton
92.8%
NJ
91.8%
Chronic absenteeism
Princeton
8.2%
NJ
14.4%
Student:teacher
Princeton
11:1
NJ
12:1

Better than NJ average Worse Neutral (student:teacher) NJ average

Above the NJ average on all 3 results.

Sources: NJDOE (2024-25 school year, published May 2026)

Full details & sources

Princeton Public School District · district results vs. state

ELA met/exceeded
76.9%Princeton
State 53.0%
Above NJ average2024-25 school year, published May 2026 · Source: NJDOE NJ School Performance Reports 2024-25 (District/State database)
Math met/exceeded
73.3%Princeton
State 42.0%
Above NJ average2024-25 school year, published May 2026 · Source: NJDOE NJ School Performance Reports 2024-25 (District/State database)
4-year graduation
92.8%Princeton
State 91.8%
Above NJ average2024-25 school year, published May 2026 · Source: NJDOE NJ School Performance Reports 2024-25 (District/State database)
Chronic absenteeism
8.2%Princeton
State 14.4%
Below NJ average2024-25 school year, published May 2026 · Source: NJDOE NJ School Performance Reports 2024-25 (District/State database)
Student:teacher11:1 (state 12:1) Below NJ average2024-25 school year, published May 2026 · Source: NJDOE NJ School Performance Reports 2024-25 (District/State database)

“Above” and “Below NJ average” compare the district with the state average. Higher is not always better (for example, chronic absenteeism). State average: Source: NJDOE · As of 2024-25 school year

Compare all school districts

Commute

NJ Transit pass$549 / monthSource: NJ Transit · Updated July 2026
More info

Princeton Junction (fare zone 19) is the Northeast Corridor station in West Windsor Township; the published monthly fare to New York Penn Station is $549. Princeton station (the Dinky) has its own row in the fare chart's 'Exceptions' table: one-way adult $21.60, monthly $607. The Dinky is the alternative: $607 a month, 64 min fastest.

53 minPeak commute · typical 56.5 minSource: NJ Transit GTFS (via Mobility Database) · Scheduled service Nov 18, 2026
More info

Fastest scheduled weekday trip to New York Penn Station arriving 7:00-9:00 AM from Princeton Junction, per NJ Transit schedule data for Wed Nov 18, 2026. The typical trip from that station in that window (median of 6 scheduled trips) takes 56.5 min; the fastest takes 53 min. Princeton Junction is in West Windsor Township; the alternative is Princeton station (the Dinky): 64 min fastest, $607 a month.

Fastest scheduled trip arriving 7:00 to 9:00 AM on 2026-11-18: Princeton Junction, departs 6:17 AM, arrives 7:10 AM, one seat, no transfer.

Data as of: Scheduled service Wed 2026-11-18; rail feed service dates 2026-09-15 to 2027-03-13; downloaded 2026-11-01

Commute times by station
Commute times by station in Princeton
Boarding pointToFastest, arriving 7:00 to 9:00 AMTypical (median), arriving 7:00 to 9:00 AMEarliest train, arriving by 9:00 AMTransfers
PrincetonNew York Penn64 min67 min (5 trips)64 min1 transfer at Princeton Jct.
PrincetonHoboken Terminal70 min73 min (5 trips)70 min2 transfers at Princeton Jct., Secaucus Junction (upper level)
PrincetonNewark Penn46 min47 min (5 trips)44 min1 transfer at Princeton Jct.
Princeton JunctionNew York Penn53 min56.5 min (6 trips)53 minone seat, no transfer
Princeton JunctionHoboken Terminal59 min63 min (7 trips)59 min1 transfer at Secaucus Junction (upper level)
Princeton JunctionNewark Penn35 min36 min (6 trips)33 minone seat, no transfer
Source: NJ Transit GTFS (via Mobility Database) · Scheduled service Nov 18, 2026
Full details & sources
NJ Transit stations and fares
NJ Transit stations in Princeton
StationFare zoneAdult monthly pass to NY Penn
Princeton Junction (in West Windsor Township; headline)19$549 / month
Princeton (Dinky; alternative)Exceptions row (not a numbered zone)$607 / month

Princeton Junction station fare; Princeton (Dinky) $607 listed as the alternative.

Source: NJ Transit · Updated July 2026

Compare commutes

NJ town data in your inbox

Get NJ town data and market updates. Unsubscribe anytime.

Rent and housing

Median rent$2,636 / monthSource: U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Livingston$2,949Hoboken$2,938Chatham Twp$2,769Princeton$2,636Bernards Twp$2,476Fanwood$2,446Morris Twp$2,437Summit$2,430Montville$2,372Westfield$2,357South Orange$2,296Morristown$2,274Maplewood$2,269Millburn$2,262Madison$2,253Chatham Boro$2,250Berkeley Heights$2,203Cranford$2,199Bridgewater$2,176Metuchen$2,078Union Twp$2,064Montclair$2,063Scotch Plains$2,060Red Bank$2,026Jersey City$2,007Edison$1,974Woodbridge$1,959Fair Lawn$1,917New Providence$1,903Cherry Hill$1,882Rahway$1,845Bloomfield$1,824Denville$1,817New Brunswick$1,814Plainfield$1,767Linden$1,731Elizabeth$1,523Newark$1,392$2,949$2,938$2,769$2,636$2,476$2,446$2,437$2,430$2,372$2,357$2,296$2,274$2,269$2,262$2,253$2,250$2,203$2,199$2,176$2,078$2,064$2,063$2,060$2,026$2,007$1,974$1,959$1,917$1,903$1,882$1,845$1,824$1,817$1,814$1,767$1,731$1,523$1,392

Median rent ranks 4 of 38 towns, highest first.

Sources: U.S. Census ACS (Updated January 2026)

Full details & sources
View as a data table
Median monthly rent by town
TownMedian rentSource and date
Livingston$2,949U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Hoboken$2,938U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Chatham Twp$2,769U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Princeton$2,636U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Bernards Twp (Basking Ridge)$2,476U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Fanwood$2,446U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Morris Twp$2,437U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Summit$2,430U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Montville$2,372U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Westfield$2,357U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
South Orange (Village)$2,296U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Morristown$2,274U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Maplewood$2,269U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Millburn (Short Hills)$2,262U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Madison$2,253U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Chatham Boro$2,250U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Berkeley Heights$2,203U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Cranford$2,199U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Bridgewater$2,176U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Metuchen$2,078U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Union Twp$2,064U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Montclair$2,063U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Scotch Plains$2,060U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Red Bank$2,026U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Jersey City$2,007U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Edison$1,974U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Woodbridge$1,959U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Fair Lawn$1,917U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
New Providence$1,903U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Cherry Hill$1,882U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Rahway$1,845U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Bloomfield$1,824U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Denville$1,817U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
New Brunswick$1,814U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Plainfield$1,767U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Linden$1,731U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Elizabeth$1,523U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026
Newark$1,392U.S. Census ACS · Updated January 2026

Monthly cost calculator

Other towns: Rahway · Cranford · Westfield · Metuchen · Linden · Millburn (Short Hills) · Summit · Montclair · Edison · Union Twp · Elizabeth · Chatham Boro · Chatham Twp · Woodbridge · Hoboken · Bloomfield · Madison · Maplewood · Denville · Plainfield · Morristown · South Orange (Village) · Bernards Twp (Basking Ridge) · Livingston · New Providence · Montville · Berkeley Heights · Bridgewater · Fanwood · Scotch Plains · Morris Twp · Jersey City · Newark · Fair Lawn · Cherry Hill · New Brunswick · Red Bank · All towns and map

Compare with: Rahway · Cranford · Westfield · Metuchen · Linden · Millburn (Short Hills) · Summit · Montclair · Edison · Union Twp · Elizabeth · Chatham Boro · Chatham Twp · Woodbridge · Hoboken · Bloomfield · Madison · Maplewood · Denville · Plainfield · Morristown · South Orange (Village) · Bernards Twp (Basking Ridge) · Livingston · New Providence · Montville · Berkeley Heights · Bridgewater · Fanwood · Scotch Plains · Morris Twp · Jersey City · Newark · Fair Lawn · Cherry Hill · New Brunswick · Red Bank · Compare up to 3 towns