Consilium Stories / Hottest ZIP codes 2026 / Montclair vs Sewell
Montclair (07042) vs Sewell (08080): How New Jersey’s Two Hottest ZIP Codes Compare
Realtor.com ranked Montclair #2 and Sewell #3 on its 2026 Hottest ZIP Codes in America list. Both draw heavy buyer interest, but they are very different places to live. Montclair is a dense, older, transit-connected town outside New York City. Sewell is a newer, car-oriented suburb outside Philadelphia where most people own their homes.
Here’s how they compare on public data. This is context, not a recommendation.
Updated October 6, 2026
At a glance
| Measure | Montclair 07042 | Sewell 08080 |
|---|---|---|
| Realtor.com 2026 rank | #2 | #3 |
| Median listing price (Realtor.com, H1 2026) | $1,050,000 | $426,000 |
| Median home value (Census ACS 5-yr) | $733,100 | $330,400 |
| Median gross rent | $2,017 | $1,674 |
| Median household income | $127,083 | $119,919 |
| Homeownership rate | 50% | 87% |
| Median year built | 1938 | 1986 |
| Residents per sq mi | 7,198 | 1,346 |
| EPA walkability (1–20) | 13.1 | 9.0 |
| Commute by transit | 13% | 1% |
| Work from home | 29% | 19% |
| Mean commute | 33.4 min | 30.7 min |
| Area in FEMA high-risk flood zone | 3.3% | 4.1% |
| Hospitals within 10 mi | 10 | 1 |
| Consilium crime concern (0–10) | 4.07 | 3.19 |
Census figures are 5-year estimates, so they trail today’s prices. Realtor.com’s listing prices are the better read on the current market. Density figures are ZIP Code Tabulation Area counts, not separate citywide densities.
Housing and cost
Montclair costs more to get into. Its median listing price on Realtor.com was $1,050,000, and homes sold 16.7% over asking. Sewell’s median listing price was $426,000. Rent follows the same pattern: $2,017 a month in Montclair vs $1,674 in Sewell.
The housing stock is different too. Montclair’s median home was built in 1938; Sewell’s in 1986. Older homes can mean character, but also older wiring, plumbing, and lead paint to check during inspection.
Getting around
Montclair is built for walking and transit. It scores 13.1 on the EPA walkability index (above average), and 13% of workers commute by transit. Sewell scores 9.0 (below average), and 79% of workers drive.
Road safety: NHTSA records from 2020 to 2024 show 24 traffic fatalities in Sewell’s ZIP vs 2 in Montclair’s. Fatal-crash counts at ZIP level are small and partly reflect major highways passing through, so treat them as context, not a safety rating. Six of Sewell’s fatal crashes involved a drinking driver, and 11 happened at night.
Flood, environment, and health access
Both ZIPs have little mapped flood risk. About 3% of Montclair and 4% of Sewell sit in FEMA’s high-risk flood zone. Flood risk varies block by block, so check the exact address.
Montclair has more industry nearby: 79 EPA-reported release facilities within 10 miles, vs 19 for Sewell. The largest nearby release in the report is Johnson Matthey, 6.1 miles from Sewell, at about 9,600 lbs on-site. Consilium’s environmental concern scores are close: 9.08 for Montclair and 9.23 for Sewell.
Montclair has 10 hospitals within 10 miles, with one inside the ZIP. Sewell has 1, and the nearest hospital is 7.5 miles away.
Schools
Montclair’s ZIP sits entirely inside one district, Montclair Public Schools, with 8 public schools. Sewell’s ZIP is split across several districts, including Washington Township (about 48% of the area), Deptford Township, and the Mantua/Clearview districts. If you’re buying in Sewell, confirm which district serves the specific address.
Safety context
Montclair’s Consilium crime concern score is higher: 4.07 vs 3.19 for Sewell. FBI data points the same way. Montclair PD reports 954 crimes per 100,000 residents, 118 of them violent. Washington Township PD, which covers Sewell, reports 610, with 16 violent (2024). These rates cover each police department’s whole jurisdiction, not just the ZIP.
FAQ
Is Montclair or Sewell more expensive?
Montclair. Its 2026 median listing price was $1,050,000 vs $426,000 in Sewell, per Realtor.com.
Which is more walkable, Montclair or Sewell?
Montclair scores 13.1 on the EPA walkability index vs 9.0 for Sewell, and far more residents commute by transit.
Is Montclair or Sewell in a flood zone?
Both have low mapped flood exposure: about 3% of Montclair and 4% of Sewell fall in FEMA’s high-risk zone. Check the specific parcel before buying.
Does Montclair or Sewell have more crime?
Montclair’s FBI-reported rate is higher: 954 vs 610 crimes per 100,000 residents in each town’s police jurisdiction. Sewell has more traffic deaths: 24 vs 2 from 2020 to 2024, per NHTSA.
What school district is Sewell, NJ 08080 in?
It depends on the address. The 08080 ZIP overlaps Washington Township, Deptford Township, Mantua Township, and Clearview Regional districts.
Why are Montclair and Sewell so popular in 2026?
Realtor.com ranked them #2 and #3 nationally based on listing views and how fast homes sold. Montclair homes sold in about 18 days. Sewell drew 48% of its viewers from the Philadelphia area and 27% from New York.
The other pair on the 2026 list is Peabody vs Westfield. All four ZIPs are on the hottest ZIP codes page.
Sources: Realtor.com 2026 Hottest ZIP Codes; U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates; EPA Smart Location Database; FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer; EPA Toxics Release Inventory; NHTSA FARS; NCES; FBI crime data. Consilium Compare provides context, not a recommendation or ranking of where to live.