Trying to choose between Ho-Ho-Kus and Ridgewood? You are not alone. Both towns sit at the heart of Bergen County living, with beautiful homes, strong schools, and easy train access. The right fit comes down to how you want to live day to day, how you balance price and taxes, and what you want from schools and downtown life. In this guide, you will see a clear, side-by-side view so you can move forward with confidence. Let’s dive in.
Big picture: size and feel
Ho-Ho-Kus is a very small borough of about 1.7 square miles with a population in the low 4,000s, based on ACS estimates. You feel that small-town scale the minute you drive its tree-lined streets and compact center. For baseline data, review the borough’s profile on Census Reporter (ACS 5-year estimates). You will see a high share of owner-occupied homes and a tight housing base. Census Reporter: Ho-Ho-Kus profile
Ridgewood is larger at roughly 5.7 square miles with an estimated population around 26,700 in 2024. It reads as a classic, full-service village with multiple distinct neighborhoods and a major regional downtown. The scale brings more options, more activity, and a deeper housing market. U.S. Census QuickFacts: Ridgewood
Homes and prices
What you will find
Ho-Ho-Kus has a small housing base, about 1,500 units, and it is mostly single-family and owner occupied. The small inventory creates a boutique market with limited monthly turnover and a high median owner value on ACS. Census Reporter: Ho-Ho-Kus profile
Ridgewood has about 9,190 housing units, which means more choices across price bands. You will see early 20th-century homes, mid-century ranches, larger luxury properties, and a modest supply of condo and townhouse options closer to downtown. The median owner value on ACS comes in lower than Ho-Ho-Kus, but the village includes high-end pockets that push up closed-sale medians. Census Reporter: Ridgewood profile
Price check: ZHVI vs median sale
Two common metrics can help you set expectations:
- Zillow ZHVI, a smoothed “typical value” index as of late 2025, places Ho-Ho-Kus near about $1.22M and Ridgewood near about $1.16M. Use ZHVI for the long view of price levels.
- Redfin’s January 2026 median sale snapshot reported roughly $1.6M in Ho-Ho-Kus and about $1.21M in Ridgewood. Small sample sizes in Ho-Ho-Kus can swing monthly medians, so look at several months when you assess trend.
Market pace: selection vs depth
In Ho-Ho-Kus, selection is the constraint. If you want a specific lot, street, or style, be ready to act fast and bid with strong terms when the right home appears. In Ridgewood, the larger market gives you more choices at more price points, including some walkable condo or townhouse options near the village center. Either way, align your search strategy with how narrow or broad your target is.
Schools you should understand
Ho-Ho-Kus structure
Ho-Ho-Kus operates a single public school for grades PreK through 8. For high school, students attend Northern Highlands Regional High School through a sending relationship shared with nearby towns. Families often like the close-knit K–8 experience, then step into a larger high school community for grades 9 through 12. For current feeder and community details, explore the district’s overview for potential residents. Northern Highlands: Our Communities
Ridgewood structure
Ridgewood runs a townwide PK–12 public school system with multiple elementary schools, two middle schools, and Ridgewood High School. This setup offers continuity from kindergarten through graduation, with a larger high school that supports many electives and extracurriculars. Review district resources to understand school locations, programs, and enrollment steps. Ridgewood Public Schools
How structure shapes daily life
If you prefer a single neighborhood school experience through middle school, Ho-Ho-Kus provides that simplicity. If you value a single town-run system with all grades under one district, Ridgewood delivers that continuity. For both, families should review the latest district report cards and visit campuses to get a feel for scale, programming, and logistics such as transportation.
Downtown and daily rhythm
Ridgewood: regional hub feel
Ridgewood’s downtown is one of Bergen County’s busiest village centers, with hundreds of merchants, many restaurants, and steady programming that draws visitors year-round. The train station sits right by downtown, which adds energy and walkability. If you love dining out, coffee runs, and quick errands on foot, Ridgewood’s center is a strong fit. Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce
Ho-Ho-Kus: boutique village core
Ho-Ho-Kus has a compact, community-focused downtown with local restaurants and small retailers. The mood is quieter and more intimate, with annual events such as the Taste of Ho-Ho-Kus that bring neighbors together. You get everyday needs close by, and you are a short drive from Ridgewood’s larger selection when you want more variety. Ho-Ho-Kus Chamber & Commerce
Commute and transit
Both towns sit on NJ Transit’s Main Line and Bergen County Line with service to Hoboken and transfers to New York Penn Station at Secaucus Junction. Ridgewood station is a larger hub with multiple platforms and more off-peak service, while Ho-Ho-Kus is a smaller, walkable commuter station with municipal parking. For schedules, parking, and rider resources, start with the station pages. NJ Transit: Ridgewood Station | NJ Transit: Ho-Ho-Kus Station
ACS estimates show similar average commute times: about 33.8 minutes door to door in Ho-Ho-Kus and about 34.6 minutes in Ridgewood. These figures reflect a mix of train and car commutes to New York City and regional job centers. Census Reporter: Ho-Ho-Kus profile
Typical commute choices
- Drive to your local station and take NJ Transit to Hoboken, then PATH or ferry to Manhattan, or transfer at Secaucus to New York Penn Station.
- Drive using Route 17 and Garden State Parkway connections to reach regional job centers.
- Use select express bus routes from Ridgewood to the Port Authority Bus Terminal when schedules align with your day.
Taxes and ongoing costs
Bergen County property taxes sit high by national standards, and both towns land near the top of county averages. Recent municipal averages show Ho-Ho-Kus around $18,900 per year and Ridgewood around $20,400 per year. On a monthly basis, that is roughly $1,575 in Ho-Ho-Kus and about $1,700 in Ridgewood, just for the property tax line. Actual taxes on any home depend on the assessed value and any exemptions. For a current town-by-town list, review the county compilation. Bergen County property tax averages
To manage your budget, compare mortgage, insurance, and utilities across homes, then layer in the tax impact. In some cases, a slightly higher price with a lower assessment or location-based tax rate can produce a similar monthly total. Look beyond price alone and run a full monthly scenario before you bid.
Quick decision guide
- Choose Ho-Ho-Kus if you want a quieter, small-town rhythm with a single K–8 school and a boutique, walkable center.
- Choose Ridgewood if you want a larger, more walkable downtown with many shops and restaurants, varied housing, and a town-run PK–12 district.
- If schools are central to your choice, compare a single K–8 that feeds a regional high school with a PK–12 town system. Start with each district’s overview pages to map your options and daily logistics.
- Always factor taxes into your monthly budget. Use the municipal averages above as a quick benchmark, then verify the assessment of any home you pursue.
If you are weighing both towns, let’s tailor the search to your day-to-day life. From staging and presentation to school and commute planning, you will get a clear strategy that fits your goals. Reach out to Krissy Leckie to schedule a free consultation and get a curated plan for your Bergen move.
FAQs
What is the main lifestyle difference between Ho-Ho-Kus and Ridgewood?
- Ridgewood offers a larger, busier downtown with many shops and restaurants, while Ho-Ho-Kus has a quieter, boutique center with community events and a slower pace. Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce | Ho-Ho-Kus Chamber & Commerce
How do the school setups differ in these towns?
- Ho-Ho-Kus runs one public school for PreK–8 and sends students to Northern Highlands for high school, while Ridgewood operates a townwide PK–12 district that includes Ridgewood High School. Northern Highlands: Our Communities | Ridgewood Public Schools
Which town has more housing options at different price points?
- Ridgewood’s larger housing base offers more variety, including some condos and townhouses near downtown, while Ho-Ho-Kus is a smaller, mostly single-family market with limited monthly inventory. Census Reporter: Ridgewood profile
How do train service and stations compare for commuters?
- Both towns sit on NJ Transit’s Main Line and Bergen County Line, but Ridgewood station is a larger hub with more off-peak frequency and amenities, while Ho-Ho-Kus is a smaller commuter station with municipal parking. NJ Transit: Ridgewood Station | NJ Transit: Ho-Ho-Kus Station
What should I expect for annual property taxes in each town?
- Recent averages show Ho-Ho-Kus around $18,900 and Ridgewood around $20,400 per year, which translate to roughly $1,575 and $1,700 per month for the tax line item. Actual taxes vary by assessment and exemptions. Bergen County property tax averages
