Monmouth County vs. Ocean County, NJ: How to Choose Where to Look

Monmouth County and Ocean County are neighbors on the Jersey Shore, and near the coast the Manasquan River runs between them. Monmouth has 53 towns and most of the shore's train stations to New York; Ocean has 33 towns, most of them in the Barnegat Bay watershed, and a lower average residential tax bill, according to State data. Which one fits you comes down to your commute, your budget with taxes included, and whether you want the ocean, the bay or more room inland.

I'm Dennis Mark Interdonato with The Dennis Mark Group. I cover every town in both counties. When someone moving here from out of state asks me which county to look in, this is how I answer.

What's the difference between Monmouth County and Ocean County?

Start with the map. Point Pleasant, Point Pleasant Beach and Bay Head sit on the Ocean County side of the Manasquan River. Brielle, Manasquan, Sea Girt, Spring Lake and Wall are on the Monmouth side. Monmouth runs north from there to Sandy Hook. Ocean runs south toward Tuckerton.

The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs counts 53 municipalities in Monmouth County and 33 in Ocean County in its 2025 property tax data (NJ DCA, Property Tax Information). That matters more than it sounds. In New Jersey, each town sets its own budget, its own tax rate and its own way of doing things. A buyer isn't choosing a county so much as a short list of towns.

Which county is better for commuting to New York?

If you ride the train, Monmouth has the edge on the map. NJ TRANSIT's North Jersey Coast Line runs direct trains to New York Penn Station from Aberdeen-Matawan, Hazlet, Middletown, Red Bank, Little Silver and Long Branch, all in Monmouth County. South of Long Branch, most trips change trains at Long Branch, with direct trains to New York during weekday peak periods (NJ TRANSIT).

Ocean County's two stations on the line are Point Pleasant Beach and Bay Head, the last stop. Farther south and inland, NJ TRANSIT's Bus Route 137 serves Toms River year-round (NJ TRANSIT, Jersey Shore). Monmouth also has ferry terminals in Atlantic Highlands and Highlands, run by Seastreak.

The full breakdown, station by station, is in commuting to NYC from the Jersey Shore and which Jersey Shore towns have a train station.

How do property taxes compare?

According to the DCA's 2025 data, before credits and deductions, the average residential property tax was about $11,830 in Monmouth County and about $8,167 in Ocean County, compared with about $10,570 statewide.

Two warnings before you lean on those numbers. First, they're county averages, and the range from town to town inside each county is wide. Second, a lower bill can come with a lower price or a smaller house, so the average alone doesn't tell you which home costs less to own. I compare the actual tax bill on every home on a short list. The method is in how to compare property taxes between Jersey Shore towns.

Where's the water in each county?

Both counties have ocean beaches, but the rest of the water is different.

• Monmouth County has the ocean towns from Sea Bright south to Manasquan, plus river towns and Sandy Hook, part of Gateway National Recreation Area, run by the National Park Service (NPS, Sandy Hook).
• Ocean County is the bay county. The Barnegat Bay Partnership says the Barnegat Bay watershed takes in most of Ocean County's 33 municipalities.

If a boat is part of the plan, tell me early. Bay, river and ocean access are three different searches.

What about parks and open space?

Each county runs its own park system. The Monmouth County Park System says it has over 30 park areas, from Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park to Historic Walnford. Ocean County Parks and Recreation lists 27 parks and conservation areas covering more than 4,000 acres, from Point Pleasant to Tuckerton.

Many town pages on this site have a free guide with the parks, dining and events in one place, so you can compare towns side by side.

How do you choose between Monmouth and Ocean County?

Do your homework on the towns themselves. Every town in both counties is on the Where We Work page, and many town pages carry a free guide and a Market Snapshot. Good places to start: Red Bank and Middletown on the train line in Monmouth, Point Pleasant on the river, and Brick and Toms River on the bay in Ocean. For current prices, check the monthly market report.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Point Pleasant in Monmouth or Ocean County?

Ocean County, along with Point Pleasant Beach and Bay Head. Across the Manasquan River, Brielle and Manasquan are in Monmouth County.

How many towns are in Monmouth and Ocean County?

The NJ Department of Community Affairs lists 53 municipalities in Monmouth County and 33 in Ocean County.

Which county has lower property taxes?

On average, Ocean County. The DCA's 2025 figures put the average residential property tax at about $8,167 in Ocean County and about $11,830 in Monmouth County, before credits and deductions. The bill on a specific home can be higher or lower than its county's average.

Can you take a train from Ocean County to New York?

Yes, from Point Pleasant Beach or Bay Head on NJ TRANSIT's North Jersey Coast Line. Most trips change at Long Branch, with direct trains during weekday peak periods.

This is general information, not legal, tax or lending advice. Figures come from the State, county and NJ TRANSIT sources linked above, checked October 9, 2026.

About the author

Dennis Mark Interdonato is a REALTOR® and Master CDRE® who leads The Dennis Mark Group at Keller Williams Realty Ocean Living in Point Pleasant, NJ, helping buyers and sellers throughout New Jersey make their next move, with Monmouth and Ocean County as home base. Read more about Dennis Mark.

Keep reading

• The relocation guide and how Dennis Mark helps buyers moving here
• Moving to Red Bank and Toms River for people new to the area
• Selling a home in either county? Start with a free home value.
• Have a question this didn't answer? Send it to Dennis Mark and it may become the next article.