Cliffside Park sits "Atop the Palisades" — the borough's official motto — with sweeping Hudson River and Manhattan skyline views from Palisade Avenue and the high-rises that line the cliffs. At just 0.96 square miles, it packs an extraordinary amount of urban energy, lifestyle convenience, and commuter access into a dense, walkable borough that is only 6 miles from Midtown Manhattan. Multiple NJ Transit bus routes reach Port Authority in under 30 minutes; the George Washington Bridge and Lincoln Tunnel are both within easy reach; and the ferry terminal in adjacent Edgewater connects to Midtown and Wall Street.
The housing market reflects this positioning: appreciation has ranked in the top 10% nationally over the past decade (98.85% cumulative), with the median home value around $840K and a diverse stock ranging from entry-level condos to luxury high-rise units with unobstructed skyline views. Opendoor ranked Cliffside Park the 3rd most family-friendly town in the United States. The average tax bill is approximately $9,982 — 9th lowest in Bergen County — and the borough has received over $32 million in revitalization investment since 2016.
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Manhattan Skyline ViewsPalisade Ave high-rises · Hudson River panoramas
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~20–30 Min to NYCNJ Transit 156/159/181 · ferry via Edgewater
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#3 Most Family-Friendly in USOpendoor · 30th safest in NJ · top 10% appreciation
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Diverse Housing OptionsHigh-rises · duplexes · single-family · mid-$300Ks–$1M+
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9th Lowest Tax Bill in Bergen Co.Avg ~$9,982 · $32M+ revitalization investment
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Highly Diverse Community46% foreign-born · Turkish · Korean · Latino culture
Commute & Connectivity
Getting There From Here
Cliffside Park has one of Bergen County's best NYC commute profiles — bus in under 30 minutes, ferry from Edgewater, GWB and Lincoln Tunnel by car, all within reach.
NYC Port Authority
NJ Transit 156 / 159 / 181 · from Gorge Rd
~20–30
minutes by bus
Midtown Manhattan (Ferry)
NY Waterway · Edgewater Ferry Terminal · ~2 min drive
~15
minutes by ferry
Manhattan via GWB
Via Rt-9W N to GWB · ~2 miles north
~20
minutes by car (off-peak)
Manhattan via Lincoln Tunnel
Via Rt-3 E / NJ Tpk · ~5 miles south
~25
minutes by car (off-peak)
Newark Liberty Airport
Via NJ Tpk S · ~12 miles
~25
minutes by car
Public Schools
Education That Raises Property Values
Cliffside Park runs its own K–12 district — rated above average by Niche — with five elementary schools and Cliffside Park High School, known for academics and community involvement.
School
Grades
Type
Student:Teacher
Rating
Elementary Schools (PS 1–5) Cliffside Park Public Schools · K–5
K – 5
Public
12 : 1
B
Cliffside Park Middle School Cliffside Park Public Schools · 6–8
6 – 8
Public
12 : 1
B
Cliffside Park High School Highly diverse · above average · Bergen Co. Tech eligible
9 – 12
Public
12 : 1
B+
Cliffside Park Public Schools rated above average by Niche. District runs K–12 in-borough. Students also eligible for Bergen County Technical Schools / Bergen County Academies programs. Borough ranked 3rd most family-friendly in the US by Opendoor.
Neighborhood Life
What Makes Cliffside Park Cliffside Park
Explore the walkable corridors, culinary diversity, iconic views, and community life that define Bergen County's most urban-feeling borough.
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Turkish Food Hub
Cliffside Park is known throughout Bergen County for its authentic Turkish cuisine. Cinar Turkish Restaurant (793 Palisade Ave) and Beyoglu Grill (703 Anderson Ave) are two of the borough's most praised — drawing diners from across the region.
Turkish · Local Specialty
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Villa Amalfi
Upscale Italian dining inspired by the Amalfi Coast — Cliffside Park's go-to for special occasion white tablecloth dining, with a classic menu and polished service.
Italian · Fine Dining
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Anderson Avenue Cafés
The borough's everyday main street — Anderson Ave — has a walkable strip of cafés, bars, restaurants, and local shops. Active sidewalks and a lively neighborhood feel even on weekday mornings.
Walkable · Main Street
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Edgewater Waterfront (Whole Foods, Trader Joe's)
Adjacent Edgewater has a Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and full big-box retail along the Hudson — minutes away, giving Cliffside Park residents premium grocery access without a supermarket battle.
~5 min · Premium Grocery
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Latin & International Dining
Cliffside Park's 32% Hispanic population and 46% foreign-born community make for genuine culinary diversity — Latin American, Korean, Middle Eastern, and other cuisines are all represented in and around the borough.
International · Diverse
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Manhattan Restaurant Access
With Midtown Manhattan 20–30 minutes away, Cliffside Park residents treat the city as their extended dining and entertainment district. No NJ town of this size has better access to world-class restaurants at this commute distance.
~20–30 min · World-Class
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Palisade Avenue Overlooks
The views from Palisade Avenue are among the most dramatic in the tri-state area — a continuous panorama of the Hudson River, Manhattan skyline, and New Jersey waterfront. For residents, this is a daily backdrop that most people pay Manhattan prices to approximate.
Hudson Views · Daily Backdrop
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James J. Braddock Park (~10 min)
A 167-acre Bergen County park with sports fields, trails, a lake, and a dog run — just south of Cliffside Park. One of the largest and most popular county parks in North Jersey, accessible in minutes.
167 Acres · ~10 min · Multi-Use
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Hudson River Waterfront Walkway
The Hudson River Waterfront Walkway — accessible via adjacent Edgewater — provides a scenic riverside promenade with Manhattan views, cycling paths, and waterfront access. A genuine amenity that belongs to the whole Palisades corridor.
Waterfront · Walking · Biking
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Historic Palisades Amusement Park Site
From 1898 to 1971, Cliffside Park was home to one of the most-visited amusement parks in the country. The site now hosts high-rise apartment buildings — but the borough's identity as a landmark destination runs deep in its history.
Historic · 1898–1971
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Cliffside Park Public Library
An active community library with robust programming — Little Bookworms, Musical Mornings, children's art, and Stay & Play programs reflect the borough's strong family-oriented character. A new recreation-education complex and library is planned along Edgewater Road.
Civic · Family Programming
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#3 Most Family-Friendly in the US
Opendoor's national ranking placed Cliffside Park 3rd most family-friendly in the entire country — recognizing its school quality, safety, community character, and NYC access as a combination that's genuinely hard to replicate at any price point.
National Recognition
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Exceptionally Diverse Community
46% of Cliffside Park residents are foreign-born — one of the highest rates in Bergen County. The borough's Turkish, Korean, Hispanic, Italian, and Eastern European communities all contribute to a cultural richness that makes daily life genuinely interesting.
Diverse · Multicultural
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$32M+ Revitalization Investment
Since 2016, Cliffside Park has invested over $32 million in infrastructure and quality-of-life improvements — plus $11.3M in state infrastructure funding and $15M for the planned recreation-education complex. The borough's fiscal management has been consistently praised.
Revitalization · Infrastructure
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Anderson Avenue Corridor
Cliffside Park's everyday main street — walkable access to restaurants, cafés, barbers, nail salons, markets, and services. Sidewalks stay active even in winter, reflecting the borough's genuinely urban density.
Walkable · In-Borough
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Edgewater Waterfront Retail (~5 min)
Adjacent Edgewater's waterfront strip includes Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, big-box retail, and the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway. Cliffside Park residents access one of Bergen County's premier lifestyle retail corridors within minutes.
~5 min · Premium Retail
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Englewood Health (~10 min)
One of NJ's top-ranked hospital systems — approximately 10 minutes away. A major employer for healthcare professionals living in Cliffside Park and a top-quality regional medical resource for borough residents.
Healthcare · ~10 min
By the Numbers
Cliffside Park at a Glance
Municipality TypeBoroughBergen County · 0.96 sq mi
Population~25,781Dense · highly diverse
Median Home Value~$840KTop 10% US appreciation · 10yr
Avg Tax Bill~$9,9829th lowest in Bergen County
Bus to Port Authority~20–30 minNJ Transit 156 / 159 / 181
Miles to Midtown~6 miGWB or Lincoln Tunnel
Zip Code07010Single zip borough
Family-Friendly Rank#3 in USOpendoor 2023 · 30th safest in NJ
Explore the Area
Similar Towns Near Cliffside Park
Buyers considering Cliffside Park often explore these neighboring Palisades corridor and Bergen County communities.
Real answers about buying, selling, taxes, schools, and life in Cliffside Park — the Palisades borough with some of Bergen County's best views and fastest NYC access.
Cliffside Park is a moderately competitive, strongly appreciating market. The median sale price was approximately $858K in July 2025 (up 10.6% YoY per Redfin), with homes averaging about 55–96 days on market depending on the source and season. Homes receive an average of 2 offers, reflecting genuine demand without the frenzy of faster-moving markets. The borough's appreciation over the past decade — 98.85% cumulative, ranking in the top 10% nationally — underscores its long-term investment value. Correctly priced, well-presented properties perform well; overpriced listings face a patient, quality-conscious buyer pool. Talk to us about current Cliffside Park market conditions →
Cliffside Park's median home value is approximately $840K (NeighborhoodScout, Q3 2025), with Redfin reporting median sales around $858K in July 2025. List prices in December 2025 were around $648K — reflecting the large share of condo and apartment inventory that pulls the listing median below single-family home values. The range is genuinely wide: entry-level condos can be found from the mid-$300Ks; mid-tier townhomes and two-families run $500K–$800K; and luxury high-rise units with Manhattan skyline views push $1M–$2M+. This housing diversity is one of Cliffside Park's key advantages — it accommodates buyers at multiple price points without the borough's overall character or commute changing.
Cliffside Park has one of the most diverse housing stocks in Bergen County — reflecting its density and Palisades location. Approximately 43% of units are in large apartment complexes or high-rises (many with Manhattan skyline views), 28% are duplexes and small multifamily, 17% are single-family detached homes, and 11% are townhomes and attached residences. The three main neighborhood types are: Anderson Avenue Corridor (urban, walkable, condos and mixed-use), Palisade Avenue / River View District (high-rise luxury, panoramic views, professionals and commuters), and Central Cliffside Park (quiet residential streets, single-family and two-family homes, families). Winston Towers is the borough's landmark luxury complex with skyline views, indoor/outdoor pools, and tennis courts.
Cliffside Park has some of Bergen County's best NYC commute options. NJ Transit bus routes 156, 159, and 181 run along Gorge Road and connect to Port Authority Bus Terminal in under 30 minutes. The NY Waterway ferry from adjacent Edgewater's terminal connects to Midtown Manhattan and Wall Street in approximately 15 minutes — one of the fastest commutes in the entire tri-state area. By car, the GWB is about 2 miles north and the Lincoln Tunnel is about 5 miles south — offering two major tunnel/bridge options depending on traffic. "The commute is fantastic, you really don't even need a car," as one longtime local agent described it. The borough is approximately 6 miles from Midtown Manhattan.
Cliffside Park runs its own K–12 public school district, rated above average by Niche. The district has five elementary schools, a middle school, and Cliffside Park High School — all within the borough. The highly diverse student body (reflecting the borough's 46% foreign-born population) creates a globally-minded educational environment that many families specifically seek out. Students are also eligible for the Bergen County Technical Schools / Bergen County Academies programs — one of NJ's premier technical education networks. For families prioritizing school ratings above all else, neighboring Tenafly and Leonia offer higher-ranked districts within a 10-minute drive. Cliffside Park was ranked #3 most family-friendly in the US by Opendoor, reflecting the overall quality of life for families beyond just school metrics alone.
Cliffside Park's average annual residential tax bill is approximately $9,982 — the 9th lowest in Bergen County, per the NJ Department of Community Affairs. The borough's 2025 general tax rate is 2.836% (one of the lower rates for the Palisades corridor). The total property valuation of nearly $4 billion ranks 15th among Bergen County's 70 municipalities — a strong commercial and residential base that supports services and keeps rates moderate. Since 2016, the borough has received over $32 million in revitalization funding that has improved quality of life without dramatically increasing the tax burden. On a $840K home, expect roughly $15,000–$20,000 per year depending on assessed value. Tax bills are due quarterly: February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1.
Cliffside Park's average bill of ~$9,982 is significantly lower than several Palisades corridor neighbors. Tenafly averages $23,837; Leonia is higher; Fort Lee varies widely by property type. Even within the GWB/Lincoln Tunnel commute corridor, Cliffside Park delivers among the best combination of tax rate, location, and commute access in the region. The borough's fiscal philosophy — described by Mayor Calabrese as "fiscally conservative" — combined with its high total valuation ($4B+), has produced an unusually favorable tax position for a dense, urban-character borough this close to Manhattan. The Bergen County average is $13,329; Cliffside Park residents pay roughly $3,000–$3,500 less annually.
Yes — Cliffside Park benefits from consistent demand driven by its irreplaceable location on the Palisades, Manhattan skyline views, and the best NYC commute profile of any Bergen County borough of its density. Appreciation has been in the top 10% nationally for a decade, and the property type diversity — from condos to high-rises to single-family — means there's a buyer segment for essentially every property. Properties with views and modern finishes command the strongest results. The revitalization investment and Opendoor family-friendly ranking have raised the borough's national profile. Get a free Cliffside Park home valuation →
Cliffside Park homes average approximately 55–96 days on market — longer than the fastest Bergen County markets (Wayne at 19 days, Mahwah at 18 days) but with a buyer pool that is specifically seeking the borough's views, commute, and urban-suburban balance. Homes in the Palisade Avenue / River View District with Manhattan views tend to move faster when priced correctly. Central Cliffside Park single-family homes appeal to families and can also move quickly in the spring market. The key is targeted presentation: marketing that leads with the views, the commute, and the borough's Opendoor ranking reaches the motivated, quality-conscious buyer this market attracts. Learn how we sell homes in Cliffside Park →
Cliffside Park feels more like a dense urban neighborhood than a traditional suburb — which is precisely its appeal. Anderson Avenue is walkable and lively: cafés, barbers, restaurants, and services all accessible on foot. Palisade Avenue delivers some of the most dramatic views in the tri-state area — the Hudson River and Manhattan skyline as a daily backdrop. The Turkish food scene is genuinely excellent and draws visitors from across Bergen County. Edgewater's Whole Foods and Trader Joe's are minutes away. The ferry is 5 minutes to the waterfront. Manhattan is 6 miles and 20 minutes by bus. For a young professional, a family with a NYC-based career, or anyone who wants the feel of city life with a Bergen County address, taxes below the county average, and a view that most people pay Manhattan rent to approximate — Cliffside Park is one of the most compelling addresses in North Jersey.
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