Trying to decide between Madison and its neighboring towns for your next move? You likely care about three things you live with every day: the commute, the utilities, and the homes themselves. This guide gives you clear, local facts so you can weigh tradeoffs with confidence. You will see how Madison compares to Chatham, Florham Park, Morristown, and Summit, plus what to verify before you buy. Let’s dive in.
Madison at a glance
Madison is a borough of roughly 16 to 17 thousand residents in southeastern Morris County, about 25 to 30 miles west of Midtown Manhattan. Its walkable downtown and location on NJ Transit’s Morris and Essex corridor give you practical access to New York City and regional job centers. You also get a local differentiator many buyers appreciate: Madison runs its own municipal electric utility. For population and location context, see federal data on Madison’s size and setting from the U.S. Census QuickFacts.
Commute comparison
Rail to NYC
Madison sits on the Morris and Essex Line with direct Midtown Direct service to Penn Station. Typical weekday trains from Madison to New York Penn are about 50 to 65 minutes depending on the run and time of day. You can review station details, parking, and amenities on NJ Transit’s Madison Station page, and check current run times using published timetable snapshots for Madison to Penn.
How nearby towns compare on the same corridor:
- Chatham is one stop closer to New York with many trains around 48 to 52 minutes to Penn during peak periods.
- Morristown’s trips are broadly similar to Madison, often in the 50 to 65 minute range.
- Summit is closer in, with many direct trains around 42 to 50 minutes, making it one of the faster options.
Availability and frequency vary by time of day and day of week. Always check NJ Transit real time before you travel for schedule changes or service updates.
Driving and alternate options
Madison is roughly 25 to 30 miles to Midtown Manhattan and about 13 to 20 miles to Newark Liberty International Airport depending on your route. Off peak, you might see 35 to 45 minutes to Manhattan by car; in peak traffic, it can easily exceed an hour. Private commuter coach services and regional buses can supplement rail during disruptions or to reach Midtown directly. Availability is seasonal and changes over time, so confirm current options before you plan.
Utilities: what changes by town
Electric service
- Madison: The borough operates its own Electric Department. This municipal utility buys power wholesale and handles local distribution, outages, and customer service. Buyers often value the local control, published rate options, and time of use plans. Review Madison’s Electric Utility information and current residential rates on the borough site.
- Nearby towns: Chatham, Florham Park, Morristown, and Summit are generally served by investor owned utilities rather than a municipal electric system. Exact service can vary by address, so confirm with the utility.
Natural gas
Most addresses in and around Madison are served by a major gas utility such as PSE&G. Use the utility’s service territory tool and verify the provider for the specific property.
Water and sewer
Madison runs a municipal Water Utility and local sewer collection, with regional wastewater treatment handled jointly with neighboring municipalities. If you are eyeing a property near town boundaries, confirm whether it is on public sewer or a private septic system.
Trash and recycling
Madison provides curbside garbage pickup, weekly recycling, and access to a borough recycling center. Schedules, accepted materials, and any optional fees are posted by the borough. Private haulers may offer rear yard service.
Broadband and connectivity
Fiber and cable coverage in Madison is robust but address specific. Multiple wired and fixed wireless options appear available across town. Confirm provider serviceability and speeds at the exact address using broadband availability tools.
Housing stock and prices
Madison’s homes at a glance
Madison has roughly 5.6 to 6.0 thousand housing units, with a majority being single family detached homes. Many houses were built in the mid 20th century, and a notable share predate 1940 near downtown. Expect a mix of period details, thoughtful renovations, and systems that vary by age. See housing composition and age snapshots sourced from American Community Survey data.
Price snapshots across nearby towns
Area level indices as of mid 2024 to mid 2025 show the following market picture:
- Madison: around the high 900s for a typical home value index.
- Chatham: often north of 1.2 million.
- Florham Park: roughly 980 thousand to 1.0 million.
- Morristown: generally in the high 800s, with more condos and mixed housing types.
- Summit: frequently over 1.0 to 1.4 million. These figures are broad snapshots that change over time and vary by home type, lot, and condition. Use current MLS comparables for a specific property or micro neighborhood.
Property taxes and operating costs
New Jersey property taxes are among the highest in the country. Madison’s municipal rate has recently been listed around the low twos as a component of the total bill, which also includes county and school levies. For accurate estimates, apply the current tax rates to the assessed value or consult the Morris County Board of Taxation. On utilities, Madison’s municipal electric rates and time of use options may influence operating costs, especially if you plan electrification upgrades or EV charging.
Which town fits your priorities
- Fastest Midtown rail times: Summit commonly offers the shortest peak travel times to Penn.
- Balanced commute with a walkable downtown and municipal electric: Madison offers direct Midtown trains, a staffed station, and the differentiator of borough run electric service.
- Urban amenities with mixed housing types: Morristown provides a busy downtown and more condo options, with rail times comparable to Madison.
- Similar pricing and station choice: Florham Park buyers often use nearby stations like Convent Station or Morristown, with travel times comparable to Madison depending on the route.
- One stop closer to NYC: Chatham can trim a few minutes off the commute relative to Madison on many trains.
Your due diligence checklist
- Confirm commute times: Review NJ Transit’s Madison Station page and current timetable for your target train times on the dates you would travel.
- Verify utilities by address: Check Madison’s Electric Utility pages for municipal electric details, and use the gas utility’s service territory tool to confirm your provider.
- Request recent bills: Ask sellers for 12 months of electric, gas, and water bills to model monthly costs.
- Check broadband: Use address level availability tools to confirm fiber or high speed coverage.
- Review taxes: Use the Morris County Board of Taxation resources to estimate the annual property tax based on assessed value.
- Inspect older systems: Many homes date to the mid 1900s or earlier, so plan for thorough mechanical, electrical, and plumbing inspections.
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FAQs
How long is the Madison to NYC commute by train?
- Typical direct trains from Madison to New York Penn run about 50 to 65 minutes, with door to door time longer when you include parking or walking. Check current times using published timetable snapshots and NJ Transit alerts.
What is different about Madison’s electric service?
- Madison operates a municipal Electric Department that handles local distribution, publishes rates and time of use options, and manages outages. Review details on the borough’s Electric Utility pages.
Are utility providers the same in neighboring towns?
- Not always. Madison has municipal electric, while nearby towns are generally served by investor owned utilities for electric. Natural gas is commonly provided by a major utility such as PSE&G. Always verify by address.
How do home values compare across Madison, Chatham, Morristown, Florham Park, and Summit?
- Recent market indices show Chatham and Summit typically higher, Madison and Florham Park around the high 900s, and Morristown somewhat lower on average. These are area level snapshots; use current MLS data for precise comps.
What should I verify before making an offer in Madison?
- Confirm commute options for your schedule, identify all utility providers at the address, request a full year of utility bills, check broadband availability, review current tax rates, and plan for inspections suited to the home’s age.
U.S. Census QuickFacts for Madison
NJ Transit Madison Station information
Madison to Penn Station timetable snapshot
Chatham to Penn Station timetable snapshot
Summit to Penn Station timetable snapshot
Madison Electric Utility overview
Madison residential electric rates
PSE&G New Jersey service territory
Madison Recycling, Garbage, Yard Waste
Broadband providers in Madison
