By Nick Trani, GT Luxury Group, eXp Realty. NJ license 2298847. Facts checked October 2026.
Buyers looking at Morris and Bergen County often compare these three towns. Here are the real numbers from the last 12 months, and what drives the difference.
Recent sales at a glance
| Town | Homes sold (12 months) | Median sale price | For sale now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montville | 211 | $835,000 | about 39 |
| Kinnelon | 93 | $975,000 | about 25 |
| Franklin Lakes (houses) | 117 | $1.75 million | about 36 |
Montville: the most choice
Montville had the most sales of the three. 68 of them closed at $1 million or more. The township includes Towaco and Pine Brook, and Towaco has a station on NJ Transit’s Montclair Boonton Line. Its 2025 general tax rate was 2.673 per $100 of assessed value.
Kinnelon: land and lake communities
Kinnelon is smaller, with 93 sales. Many homes sit on wooded lots, and the lake communities of Smoke Rise and Fayson Lakes carry their own dues. Its 2025 general tax rate was 2.985 per $100. See our Kinnelon lake home checklist.
Franklin Lakes: the luxury end
Franklin Lakes houses sold at roughly double the Montville median. 43 homes closed at $2 million or more. The town has no train station, so commuters use nearby stations or bus service. Its 2025 general tax rate was 1.904 per $100, but the state’s 2025 average residential bill there was $20,718.
A lower rate does not mean a lower bill
Tax rates only tell part of the story because assessed values differ by town. Always ask for the actual tax bill on the house you want. Source: NJ Division of Taxation.
Selling in one of these towns?
Town medians are a starting point, not a price. We price from matching recent sales on your street and style. Get a free home value report.
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