Moonachie
NJ
Average Sales Price
$405,582
Median Sales Price
$120,000
Population
1,900
Total Listings
11
Living in Moonachie
1.828% Tax Rate. $8,990 Avg Bill. 9 Miles from Manhattan.
Bergen County's Most Affordable Entry Point.
Everything you need to know before making Moonachie, NJ home.
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→Moonachie (pronounced moo-NAH-kee) is Bergen County's most affordable residential entry point — a 1.66-square-mile borough in the Hackensack River watershed, 9 miles from Manhattan, incorporated in 1910 from Lodi Township, and named after Monaghie, a Lenape chief who inhabited the local cedar forests. The borough sits in the NJ Meadowlands corridor, borders Teterboro Airport (parts of which fall within Moonachie's boundaries), and carries a 2024 average tax bill of $8,990 — the 4th lowest in all of Bergen County — on a 1.828% general tax rate that is the 2nd lowest in the county. For buyers priced out of neighboring Hasbrouck Heights, Little Ferry, and Carlstadt, Moonachie is the practical next step down.
The borough carries the memory of Hurricane Sandy (2012), which severely flooded Moonachie and prompted significant rebuilding. Like Little Ferry to the north, flood risk is a material buyer consideration that requires per-property FEMA map review. The community that rebuilt from Sandy is a diverse one: 46.3% foreign-born, significant Hispanic (55% per NeighborhoodScout) and Asian populations, and a $90,260 median household income that reflects a working-class and lower-middle-class resident base. Schools: own PreK–8 district (1 school) sending to Becton Regional HS in East Rutherford. The Meadowlands Sports Complex — MetLife Stadium, home of the Giants and Jets — is minutes away. Moonachie is Bergen County's honest Meadowlands working community, and its $8,990 average tax bill is the most honest expression of that identity.
💰
$8,990 Avg Tax Bill — 4th Lowest Bergen
1.828% rate · 2nd lowest Bergen County rate
🏡
Bergen County's Most Affordable Entry
SFH ~$450K–$600K · 77.2% homeownership
🌊
Hackensack River Watershed · Meadowlands
9 miles from Manhattan · Teterboro Airport adjacent
🌍
46.3% Foreign-Born · Deeply Diverse
55% Hispanic · multilingual working community
🏈
Meadowlands Sports Complex (~5 min)
MetLife Stadium · Giants · Jets · American Dream
⚠️
Flood Risk — Per-Property Review Required
Sandy 2012 impacted borough · FEMA maps essential
Commute & Connectivity
Getting There From Here
Moonachie is car-primary — no in-borough train station — but Route 46, I-80, and Route 17 give direct highway access to the GWB and Manhattan, and NJ Transit bus service runs from neighboring corridors to Port Authority.
Midtown Manhattan (Car)
Via Rt-46 E / I-95 N / GWB · ~9 miles
~20–30
minutes by car (off-peak)
George Washington Bridge
Via Rt-46 E / I-95 N · ~7 miles
~15–20
minutes by car
NYC Port Authority (Bus)
NJ Transit bus via Rt-46 corridor
~30–40
minutes by bus
Newark Liberty Airport
Via NJ Tpk S · ~12 miles
~20
minutes by car
Hackensack (County Seat)
Via Main St / Moonachie Rd · ~4 miles
~10
minutes by car
Public Schools
Education That Raises Property Values
Moonachie runs its own PreK–8 district (1 school) and sends students to Becton Regional High School in East Rutherford — the Wildcats, 853 students, 14.1:1 ratio, serving Carlstadt, East Rutherford, and Moonachie.
| School | Grades | Type | Student:Teacher | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moonachie Public School Moonachie Borough School District · PreK–8 · 1 school |
PreK – 8 | Public | ~12 : 1 | B |
| Henry P. Becton Regional HS 120 Paterson Ave · East Rutherford · Wildcats · Maroon & White |
9 – 12 | Public | 14.1 : 1 | B |
| Bergen County Academies (BCA) Hackensack · ~5 min · Top NJ magnet school |
9 – 12 | Magnet | 11 : 1 | Top 10 NJ |
Moonachie Borough School District: PreK–8 · 1 school. Becton Regional HS: Carlstadt-East Rutherford Regional School District · 853 students · 14.1:1 · Wildcats · Maroon and White · 120 Paterson Ave, East Rutherford · named for Henry Becton of Becton Dickinson. Bergen County Academies (BCA, Hackensack, ~5 min) accessible for qualifying students. Bergen County Technical Schools also accessible.
Neighborhood Life
What Makes Moonachie Moonachie
Explore the Meadowlands setting, the Hackensack River watershed, the Teterboro Airport adjacency, the diverse working community that rebuilt from Sandy, and the borough Ed Koch made famous by mispronouncing its name after the Giants won the Super Bowl.
Hispanic & International Dining
With 55% Hispanic/Latino residents (NeighborhoodScout) and 46.3% foreign-born, Moonachie's dining landscape is genuinely international — Latin American restaurants, bodegas, and specialty food shops that serve the borough's diverse working community. With Italian (15.4%), Turkish (2.6%), and Guyanese (2.4%) ancestry groups also represented, the borough's dining culture reflects a working-class multicultural community that doesn't need a curated restaurant district to eat well.
Hispanic · International · Latin American · Authentic
Meadowlands Sports & American Dream (~5 min)
MetLife Stadium — home of the New York Giants and New York Jets — and the broader Meadowlands Sports Complex are approximately 5 minutes from Moonachie in East Rutherford. American Dream Mall — one of North America's largest retail and entertainment complexes, with Whole Foods, indoor ski, Nickelodeon Universe, and an NHL-size ice rink — is equally adjacent. For residents of a 1.66-square-mile borough, having major-league sports and continental-scale entertainment essentially next door is a distinctive practical advantage.
~5 min MetLife · Giants · Jets · American Dream · Meadowlands
Hasbrouck Heights (~5 min) · Hackensack (~10 min)
Hasbrouck Heights' walkable Boulevard commercial strip — with Ralph's Italian Ices since 1928, Heights Bar & Grill, Two Ladies Bakery, and Teterboro Landing (Costco, Walmart) — is approximately 5 minutes north. Hackensack's Main Street commercial district (ShopRite, HackensackUMC, restaurants) is approximately 10 minutes northeast. For a borough of 3,200 people with minimal in-borough commercial infrastructure, the surrounding communities provide practical everyday commercial access.
~5 min Hasbrouck Heights · ~10 min Hackensack · Practical Access
Teterboro Airport — Within Borough Boundaries
Parts of Teterboro Airport — the Port Authority's executive and cargo aviation hub serving the NYC metro area — fall within Moonachie's borough boundaries. For residents with business aviation needs or employment connections to the airport, the adjacency is a practical fact of daily life in Moonachie. The airport also contributes to the borough's employment base and its Meadowlands identity as a functional infrastructure community at the heart of the NYC metro area's logistical backbone.
Teterboro Airport · Within Borough · Executive Aviation · Employment
Route 46 & I-80 Access — Highway Nexus
Route 46 and I-80 both provide direct highway access from Moonachie to the GWB and Manhattan. At 9 miles from Manhattan with 20–30 minute off-peak car commute times, Moonachie's highway access is surprisingly practical for a borough at Bergen County's most affordable price tier. For car commuters who want the shortest practical drive to Manhattan at the lowest Bergen County price point, Moonachie delivers.
Route 46 · I-80 · GWB 15–20 min · 9 Miles Manhattan
Meadowlands Industrial Character
Moonachie's residential neighborhoods coexist with the Meadowlands' industrial and logistics character — warehouses, distribution centers, and light industrial operations that are part of the surrounding landscape. This mixed character is a defining feature of Moonachie life that buyers should understand and accept as part of the borough's identity. In exchange for accepting this character, buyers receive Bergen County's most accessible residential price point with Manhattan proximity that rivals communities charging $300K–$500K more.
Industrial Mixed · Meadowlands Character · Accepted Trade-off
Hackensack River Watershed & Meadowlands
Moonachie sits in the Hackensack River watershed — the same ecological system that defines the NJ Meadowlands. The remaining Meadowlands wetlands ecosystem (accessible at DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst, approximately 5 minutes south) provides birding, nature walks, and waterway access that is unique in the Bergen County context. For residents who value natural open space at an affordable price, the Meadowlands landscape is a genuine amenity — if an unusual one for a densely developed urban-adjacent corridor.
Hackensack River · Meadowlands Ecosystem · DeKorte Park ~5 min
Borough Parks & Recreation
Moonachie maintains in-borough parks and recreational facilities serving a community of 3,200 — athletic fields, playgrounds, and youth recreation programs. In a small borough where the school is the civic anchor, youth sports and community recreation programs serve the same social bonding function that larger borough commercial districts provide in communities ten times the size.
In-Borough · Youth Sports · Community Recreation
Flood Risk — Critical Buyer Consideration
Hurricane Sandy (2012) severely flooded Moonachie — the borough was one of Bergen County's most significantly impacted communities, making national news. Like neighboring Little Ferry, flood risk varies significantly within the borough based on elevation and FEMA zone. Required due diligence for any Moonachie purchase: review FEMA Flood Map (msc.fema.gov) for the specific address, obtain NFIP and private flood insurance quotes, request an elevation certificate, and assess the property's post-Sandy rebuilding history. Flood insurance premiums are an additional carrying cost that must be factored into total cost-of-ownership alongside property tax.
⚠️ Sandy 2012 · FEMA Maps Required · Per-Property · Flood Insurance
HackensackUMC (~10 min) · BCA (~10 min)
HackensackUMC — Bergen County's #1 employer and top hospital — is approximately 10 minutes north. Bergen County Academies (BCA) — one of NJ's most selective magnet high schools — is also approximately 10 minutes north in Hackensack. For a small borough with a DFG district, BCA's proximity is the most meaningful educational supplement for academically talented students who qualify through the competitive admissions process.
~10 min HackensackUMC · BCA · Key Advantage
Moonachie Public Library
Part of the Bergen County Cooperative Library System, serving one of Bergen County's most ethnically diverse small communities — with multilingual resources reflecting the Hispanic, Asian, Italian, Turkish, and Guyanese communities that make up Moonachie's 46.3% foreign-born population. In a borough this small (3,200 people), the library is a genuine civic anchor for residents building their American lives in Bergen County's most affordable community.
Civic · BCCLS · Multilingual · Foreign-Born Community
Ed Koch's Famous Mispronunciation — 1987
In January 1987, New York City Mayor Ed Koch — in a moment that has become part of New Jersey trivia lore — mispronounced "moo-NAH-kee" as "mah-NOO-chee" and quipped that the New York Giants, who had just won Super Bowl XXI, should hold their victory parade in Moonachie rather than Manhattan. The joke put the borough on the map nationally. For a community of 3,200 that otherwise receives little notice, the Ed Koch moment is Moonachie's most famous historical fact — and residents seem to wear it with quiet pride.
Ed Koch 1987 · Super Bowl XXI · "mah-NOO-chee" · NJ Trivia
Post-Sandy Resilience
Hurricane Sandy (2012) severely flooded Moonachie — and the borough rebuilt. Like neighboring Little Ferry, the community that came back from Sandy is a stronger one: newer construction, flood-resilient infrastructure, and a resident base that chose to stay and invest. The post-Sandy Moonachie is measurably different from the pre-Sandy one — physically better, with a community identity shaped by having survived something genuinely difficult together. For buyers, post-Sandy rebuilt or elevated properties carry a meaningful advantage.
Sandy 2012 · Rebuilt · Resilient · Newer Post-Sandy Stock
46.3% Foreign-Born — Bergen's Most Diverse Entry Point
Moonachie's 46.3% foreign-born population is among Bergen County's highest — reflecting decades of immigration from Latin America, Asia, and Europe. The resulting community is multilingual and genuinely cosmopolitan in a way that is unusual for a 3,200-person borough. For buyers from immigrant communities who want Bergen County's school access and suburban character at the most accessible price point available in the county, Moonachie is the honest answer.
46.3% Foreign-Born · 55% Hispanic · Multilingual · Most Accessible
Teterboro Landing (Adjacent) + Hasbrouck Heights (~5 min)
Teterboro Landing — with Costco Wholesale and Walmart Supercenter — is adjacent to the Moonachie/Hasbrouck Heights/Teterboro area, providing major-format retail within minutes. Hasbrouck Heights' Boulevard is approximately 5 minutes north. For a 3,200-person community with minimal in-borough commercial infrastructure, the surrounding Meadowlands commercial landscape provides outstanding major-format retail access at every price tier.
Teterboro Landing · Costco · Walmart · Hasbrouck Heights ~5 min
American Dream Mall (~5 min) · Paramus (~15 min)
American Dream Mall in East Rutherford — Whole Foods, major retailers, indoor ski, Nickelodeon Universe, NHL ice rink — is approximately 5 minutes southeast. Garden State Plaza and Bergen Town Center (Paramus) are approximately 15 minutes north. Moonachie's Meadowlands position gives extraordinary major retail access at both the entertainment and everyday tiers within a short drive radius.
~5 min American Dream · Whole Foods · ~15 min Paramus
HackensackUMC (~10 min) · BCA (~10 min)
HackensackUMC is approximately 10 minutes north — Bergen County's top hospital. Bergen County Academies (BCA) is approximately 10 minutes north in Hackensack — one of NJ's most selective magnet high schools. For a small borough with a DFG district, BCA's proximity is a meaningful educational supplement for academically qualifying students. Bergen County Technical Schools also accessible.
~10 min HackensackUMC · BCA · Bergen County Tech
By the Numbers
Moonachie at a Glance
Municipality Type
Borough
Bergen County · 1.66 sq mi · est. 1910
Population
~3,118–3,193
46.3% foreign-born · 55% Hispanic
Avg Tax Bill (2024)
$8,990
4th lowest Bergen County · 1.828% rate
Median Home Value
~$450K–$600K SFH
Bergen County's most affordable entry
Distance to Manhattan
9 miles
~20–30 min by car off-peak · Route 46/I-80
Homeownership
77.2%
City-Data 2024 · working community
Zip Code
07074
Single zip borough
Famous For
Ed Koch 1987
"mah-NOO-chee" · Giants Super Bowl XXI parade
Explore the Area
Similar Towns Near Moonachie
Buyers considering Moonachie often explore these neighboring Meadowlands and southern Bergen County communities at similar or adjacent price points.
Carlstadt
Adjacent · lowest Bergen bill · Becton HS partner
→
Hasbrouck Heights
Adjacent · Boulevard · NJ Transit · step-up
→
Little Ferry
Adjacent · Hackensack River · similar price
→
South Hackensack
Adjacent · tiny township · accessible
→
East Rutherford
Adjacent · 2nd lowest Bergen bill · MetLife
→
Wood-Ridge
Adjacent · NJ Transit · transit village
→
Hackensack
Nearby · BCA · HackensackUMC · affordable city
→
Lodi
Nearby · Route 17 · diverse · step-up
→
Lyndhurst
Nearby · NJ Transit Main Line · DeKorte Park
→Demographics
Data provided by Attom Data
Population
Employment
Population
1.9K
1.9K in 2020
Density
1.9K
per square mile
Households
664
31 With Children
Gender
48% / 52%
Men Vs Women
Occupancy
76% / 24%
Owned Vs Rented
Age Median: -- Years
No Data
Education Level
No Data
Educational Environment
Elementary Schools (2)Middle Schools (2)
Name
Category
Grades
Library
Ratio
5/10
Robert L. Craig School
20 W Park St, Moonachie, NJ 07074
Public
PK - 8
No
10:1 STUDENTS/TEACHERS
0/10
Moonachie Campus
Robert L. Craig School, Moonachie, NJ 07074
Public
PK - 8
No
4:1 STUDENTS/TEACHERS
Amenities & Attractions
Featured Listings
For Sale (11)
For Sold (95)
Price Dropped by $20K2 Beds1 Bath47 Helen, Moonachie, NJ 07074
MLS# 26020342
Listed by Allalby Corona of Premier Homes Pros
Active
Price Dropped by $25K4 Beds3 Baths98 Moonachie RD, Moonachie, NJ 07074
MLS# 26015983
Listed by Jacqueline Jones of Keller Williams Realty Ocean Living
Price Dropped by $25K4 Beds3 Baths1,454 SqFt98 Moonachie Road, Moonachie, NJ 07074
Listed by Keller Williams Realty Ocean Living
Active
Active
Similar Neighborhood
Common Questions
Moonachie, NJ — Frequently Asked Questions
Real answers about buying, selling, taxes, schools, and daily life in Moonachie — Bergen County's most affordable residential entry point, with a $8,990 average tax bill (4th lowest Bergen County), 1.828% rate, SFH around $450K–$600K, 9 miles from Manhattan, and critical flood risk disclosure every buyer must review.
Moonachie is a very low-volume, accessible market — Bergen County's most affordable residential entry point. City-Data estimated median value is $467,595 (2023). DataUSA reports $445,800 (2024). The mean detached house value is $781,375 (City-Data) — reflecting a mix of property types; SFH buyers should focus on the $450K–$600K range as the realistic working range. Volume is extremely low — typically only 3–8 active listings at any time — which makes monthly medians highly variable. The key market constraint: flood risk requires per-property FEMA map review before making any offer, which adds a due-diligence step that some buyers find discouraging and reduces effective competition for individual properties. Investors and buyers who do this homework can find Bergen County's most accessible price point with Manhattan proximity that comparable communities charge $300K–$400K more for. Talk to us about current Moonachie market conditions →
The practical range for Moonachie SFH: older homes and smaller capes: $350K–$450K. Standard colonials and ranches in good condition: $450K–$600K. Post-Sandy rebuilt or elevated homes: $500K–$650K (flood-resilient construction commands a meaningful premium). City-Data 2023 data shows detached house mean $781,375 — this high figure likely reflects outlier sales or assessed values; working buyers should use the $450K–$600K range. Multi-family properties (2–4 units) are available at various price points and attract investor interest given strong Meadowlands area rental demand. Flood zone designation significantly affects value within the borough — an elevation certificate and FEMA zone designation are among the most important documents in any Moonachie transaction.
This is the single most important due-diligence item for any Moonachie purchase. Hurricane Sandy (2012) severely flooded the borough — Moonachie was one of Bergen County's most impacted communities. Like neighboring Little Ferry, flood risk is not uniform across the borough: varies significantly by elevation, proximity to the Hackensack River, and FEMA zone designation. Required steps before making any offer: (1) Review the FEMA Flood Map for the specific address at msc.fema.gov, (2) Obtain NFIP and private flood insurance quotes, (3) Request an elevation certificate from the seller or obtain independently, (4) Assess post-Sandy rebuilding history — permits, work done, and whether the property was elevated. Post-Sandy rebuilt and elevated homes carry a meaningful market premium and are significantly more desirable than unmodified pre-Sandy properties in flood zones. Flood insurance premiums are an ongoing carrying cost that must factor into total monthly payment calculations.
Moonachie is a car-primary community — no in-borough train station. At 9 miles from Manhattan via Route 46 and I-80, the GWB approach is approximately 15–20 minutes by car, and Midtown Manhattan approximately 20–30 minutes off-peak. NJ Transit bus service to Port Authority is available via the Route 46 corridor — approximately 30–40 minutes. The average Moonachie resident commute is 26 minutes. For buyers who primarily drive to work within Bergen County (Hackensack, Hasbrouck Heights, Wood-Ridge, Teterboro Airport), the 26-minute average reflects practical in-county commutes. For Manhattan commuters who drive, the GWB proximity is Moonachie's commuter trump card at this price tier.
Moonachie's K–8 education is handled by the Moonachie Borough School District (1 school, PreK–8). For high school, students attend Henry P. Becton Regional High School (120 Paterson Avenue, East Rutherford, Wildcats, Maroon and White, 853 students, 14.1:1 ratio) — part of the Carlstadt-East Rutherford Regional School District, also serving Carlstadt, East Rutherford, and Maywood. Becton is a solid regional high school without the top-tier rankings of Northern Highlands or Pascack Hills, reflecting Moonachie's price tier. Bergen County Academies (BCA) in Hackensack — approximately 10 minutes north — is accessible for academically qualifying students through the competitive admissions process. Bergen County Technical Schools are also accessible. For families whose children qualify for BCA, Moonachie's proximity to Bergen County's best magnet school provides an important educational supplement.
Moonachie has one of Bergen County's most favorable tax profiles. The general tax rate is 1.828% — the 2nd lowest in Bergen County (after only Carlstadt at 1.828% and East Rutherford at 1.621% among non-industrial communities). The official 2024 average residential tax bill is $8,990 — the 4th lowest in Bergen County. On a $450K home, expect approximately $7,000–$8,200 per year. On a $550K home, approximately $8,000–$10,000. These are among the most accessible carrying costs in the county. Critical note: flood insurance premiums must be added to this calculation for properties in flood zones — a $2,000–$5,000+ annual flood insurance premium can meaningfully change the total carrying cost. Always calculate total cost-of-ownership (PITI + flood insurance) rather than just the tax bill alone. Tax bills due quarterly.
The Meadowlands affordable-tier comparison: Carlstadt — adjacent, 1.828% rate (same as Moonachie), $8,763 avg bill (lowest Bergen except Teterboro/East Rutherford), Becton HS partner, more industrial character on Route 17 corridor, median ~$500K–$650K. Little Ferry — adjacent, 2.505% rate (higher than Moonachie), $10,577 avg bill, Hackensack River waterfront, Ridgefield Park HS (different from Becton), median $550K–$559K, similar Sandy flood risk. East Rutherford — adjacent, 1.621% rate (lower), $7,787 avg bill (2nd lowest Bergen), Becton HS partner, MetLife Stadium, median ~$587K–$635K. Moonachie — 1.828% rate, $8,990 avg bill, 9 miles from Manhattan, 46.3% foreign-born, Becton HS, most affordable SFH entry, Sandy flood risk per-property. Moonachie vs. Carlstadt: similar rate, different character (Moonachie more residential, Carlstadt more industrial-mixed). Moonachie vs. Little Ferry: lower rate, different HS (Becton vs. Ridgefield Park). Both carry Sandy flood risk.
Yes. The borough's $8,990 average tax bill and 1.828% rate make it Bergen County's most accessible residential community — buyers priced out of neighboring Hasbrouck Heights, Lodi, and Little Ferry find Moonachie as a logical next step. Demand is consistent from first-time buyers, immigrant families, and investors seeking Bergen County multi-family at accessible price points. Post-Sandy rebuilt and elevated properties command the strongest prices and the most motivated buyers. Sellers with flood-risk properties should be proactive about disclosure — provide the elevation certificate, flood insurance history, and post-Sandy work documentation upfront. Transparent sellers move faster in this market than those who make buyers discover problems during inspection. Get a free Moonachie home valuation →
Moonachie's very low volume (typically 3–8 active listings) means that DOM varies significantly by property condition, flood zone, and price. Post-Sandy rebuilt elevated homes in good condition at $475K–$575K can attract offers in 3–5 weeks. Older homes in high flood-risk zones or in need of major work take longer as buyers complete flood due diligence. Key selling messages: $8,990 average tax bill (4th lowest Bergen County), 1.828% rate, 9 miles from Manhattan, post-Sandy rebuilt and elevated (for qualifying properties), BCA 10 minutes away, Teterboro Landing/American Dream/MetLife Stadium adjacent. Gather flood documentation before listing — elevation certificate, flood insurance history, any FEMA claims, post-Sandy permits. Buyers will ask; sellers who are prepared close faster. Learn how we sell homes in Moonachie →
Moonachie is Bergen County's honest Meadowlands working community — 3,200 people in 1.66 square miles, named after an Iroquois chief, made famous when Ed Koch mispronounced its name after the Giants won the Super Bowl in 1987, and still the most affordable residential community in Bergen County for buyers who have run the numbers. The $8,990 average tax bill is real. The 9-mile distance to Manhattan is real. The Teterboro Airport within the borough boundaries is real. The 46.3% foreign-born community is real. The Sandy flood risk is real — and for the properties where it's been addressed through elevation and rebuilding, it's real history rather than ongoing liability. MetLife Stadium is 5 minutes south. American Dream is 5 minutes south. Teterboro Landing (Costco, Walmart) is adjacent. HackensackUMC is 10 minutes north. BCA is 10 minutes north. For buyers who want Bergen County's most affordable residential community with Manhattan proximity, the flood due-diligence is the price of admission — and for those who do it properly, Moonachie delivers a value proposition that no other Bergen County community can match at this price point.