Torn between Edison, Woodbridge, and Piscataway for your next move? You are not alone. Each town offers a different blend of commute options, home prices, taxes, schools, and daily conveniences. In this guide, you will see clear, side-by-side takeaways so you can choose with confidence. Let’s dive in.
Quick snapshot: prices and pace
If you are comparing by price band, all three towns often land in the mid 500s, with Woodbridge sometimes coming in a bit lower in recent monthly snapshots.
- Edison: Recent median sale price about $550,000 (Jan 2026 snapshot). Mean commute time is 33.9 minutes, with about 60.6% owner-occupied homes and a median owner value of $496,900, per the latest ACS 5-year estimates on QuickFacts. See Edison data on U.S. Census QuickFacts.
- Woodbridge Township: Recent median sale price about $515,000 (Dec 2025 snapshot). Mean commute time is about 33.0 minutes, with roughly 65.5% owner-occupied and a median owner value of $404,800. See Woodbridge data on U.S. Census QuickFacts.
- Piscataway: Recent market reports showed a median sold price near $556,000 (June 2025) and typical value indicators around the upper 500s in late 2025. Mean commute time is about 26.1 minutes, with roughly 63.8% owner-occupied and a median owner value of $449,900. See Piscataway data on U.S. Census QuickFacts.
Market medians shift month to month. Use these as context, then confirm current numbers when you are ready to tour.
Commute and transportation
Rail options you can count on
- Edison: You get direct Northeast Corridor service from Edison Station to Newark and New York Penn. NJ TRANSIT has highlighted improvements to commuter parking at Edison, which matters if you plan to drive and ride. Read more in the NJ TRANSIT Edison Station update.
- Woodbridge/Iselin: Metropark is a major hub with NJ TRANSIT and select Amtrak service. Many commuters see the fastest one-seat ride to New York from here. Local NJ TRANSIT trains often run about 45 to 50 minutes to NY Penn, while certain Amtrak trains can be closer to 32 to 37 minutes, depending on the schedule. Get station context on the Metropark station overview.
- Piscataway: There is no NEC station inside the township. Most rail commuters use New Brunswick, Edison, or Metropark. New Brunswick is a key hub tied to Rutgers and downtown jobs. See how the area’s transit-village planning supports ridership in this New Brunswick transit article.
Always plan door-to-door time, including parking, walking, and transfers. Schedules change, so check current timetables on NJ TRANSIT or the Amtrak schedule tool for express options.
Driving and highway access
All three towns offer strong highway access for regional commutes. Edison and Woodbridge sit near the New Jersey Turnpike, the US 1/9 corridor, and I-287. Piscataway connects well to I-287 and the Turnpike through Route 18 and local arterials. These links make park-and-ride and hybrid commutes practical.
Housing costs and inventory
Across Edison, Woodbridge, and Piscataway, you will find a mix of single-family homes, townhouses, and condos. Single-family homes in certain Woodbridge and Piscataway pockets can start in the lower to mid 400s, while premium neighborhoods in Edison and parts of Woodbridge can reach into the 800s and beyond. Townhouses and condos typically price below single-family medians and can land in the low to mid 200s through the 400s depending on size and condition.
Owner-occupied shares sit in a modest majority across all three:
- Edison: about 60.6% owner-occupied and a median owner value of $496,900 per Edison QuickFacts.
- Woodbridge: about 65.5% owner-occupied and a median owner value of $404,800 per Woodbridge QuickFacts.
- Piscataway: about 63.8% owner-occupied and a median owner value of $449,900 per Piscataway QuickFacts.
These baselines help you compare neighborhoods and set expectations for value and typical housing stock.
Property taxes and your monthly carry
New Jersey property taxes are a big line item, so build them into your budget early. Middlesex County averages have been near the 9 to 10 thousand dollar range in recent reports, with town differences. Edison’s average residential tax bill has been reported around the mid 10 thousand dollar range in sample data, Piscataway somewhat lower, and Woodbridge near the county average. See a recent breakdown in this Middlesex County property-tax overview.
Budget example for planning only:
- If you buy in Edison and use an average bill of about $10,500 as a placeholder, that is roughly $875 per month before any exemptions. Your actual bill depends on assessment, municipal and school levies, and any applicable programs, so always verify for a specific address.
Schools and everyday life
School considerations
Many buyers look at school assignments as part of their search. Ratings vary by school and neighborhood, and boundaries can change, so confirm with the district before you bid.
- Edison: J.P. Stevens High School is often noted for strong college-prep outcomes on third-party rating sites. You can review details on the J.P. Stevens High School profile.
- Piscataway: Piscataway Township High School appears in favorable regional roundups. See the Piscataway Township High School overview.
- Woodbridge: The Woodbridge Township School District includes multiple high schools, and school quality can vary by attendance zone. Always confirm the exact school assignment for a specific property with the district.
Use school information as one input among many. Visit campuses, confirm boundaries, and align the choice with your goals.
Shopping, parks, and local feel
You will find major retail and parks across all three:
- Edison: Menlo Park Mall anchors a strong retail corridor, and Roosevelt Park offers broad green space and recreation.
- Woodbridge: Woodbridge Center provides regional shopping, dining, and services.
- Piscataway: Proximity to Rutgers and downtown New Brunswick adds arts, dining, and events to your weekend mix.
Which town fits you best?
Choose Edison if you want
- Direct Northeast Corridor rail from Edison Station and solid commuter parking options. See NJ TRANSIT’s Edison update.
- A wide range of single-family neighborhoods, including higher-value pockets and a diverse retail and dining scene along the Oak Tree Road corridor.
- Market medians recently around the mid 500s with a large, established housing base.
Choose Woodbridge if you want
- The fastest rail options to New York from Metropark, including some Amtrak service. See the Metropark station context.
- Abundant highway access and a broad mix of townhouses, condos, and single-family homes that can stretch your budget.
- A slightly lower median price in some neighborhoods compared with Edison and Piscataway in recent snapshots.
Choose Piscataway if you want
- Proximity to Rutgers, health systems, and downtown New Brunswick employment with shorter local mean commutes on average. Read about the area’s transit orientation in this New Brunswick transit feature.
- Strong local high school options noted by third-party sites and access to campus-driven amenities.
- Competitive single-family options in the mid 500s and convenient access to I-287 and Route 18.
How to decide with confidence
Use this simple checklist when you tour:
- Commute: Time your door-to-door trip to New York or your worksite from at least two stations you would actually use. Check NJ TRANSIT schedules and sample an express when possible.
- Budget: Price your total monthly carry, including mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities. Use town average tax bills as placeholders, then verify property-specific numbers.
- Schools: Confirm attendance zones and visit the schools that matter to you. Use third-party rating profiles as a starting point.
- Inventory: Compare what is actively available in your price range in each town, then stack features, lot size, and location.
Ready to narrow your shortlist? Get local, data-backed guidance and a fast-moving search plan with Joe Devizio.
FAQs
How long is the train to NYC from Metropark, Edison, or New Brunswick?
- From Metropark, many NJ TRANSIT locals run about 45 to 50 minutes to NY Penn, and certain Amtrak trains can be about 32 to 37 minutes. Edison is a direct NEC stop with strong service, and New Brunswick is a frequent hub. Always check current timetables on NJ TRANSIT or review the Metropark station overview.
How do property taxes compare across Edison, Woodbridge, and Piscataway?
- Middlesex County averages have been near 9 to 10 thousand dollars in recent reporting, with Edison around the mid 10 thousands, Woodbridge near county average, and Piscataway somewhat lower in sample data. See this county tax overview and verify the specific property’s assessment and bill.
What are the current median home prices in each town?
- Recent snapshots show Edison around $550,000 (Jan 2026), Woodbridge about $515,000 (Dec 2025), and Piscataway near $556,000 for median sold (June 2025) with typical value indicators in the upper 500s late in 2025. Medians change monthly, so confirm before you offer.
Which town offers the best access to Rutgers and New Brunswick jobs?
- Piscataway places you closest to Rutgers and the New Brunswick employment hub, with many residents using New Brunswick Station for NEC service. See local context in this transit-village article.
What share of homes are owner-occupied in Edison, Woodbridge, and Piscataway?
- Edison is about 60.6%, Woodbridge about 65.5%, and Piscataway about 63.8%, based on the latest ACS 5-year QuickFacts. See Edison QuickFacts, Woodbridge QuickFacts, and Piscataway QuickFacts.
