Garfield
An affordable city with Italian heritage and a revitalizing downtown
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By Scott Selleck — Licensed New Jersey Real Estate Agent | Licensed since 1993 in Bergen & Hudson Counties | The Selleck Group / KW City Views Realty
Last updated: June 2026
What Is It Like to Live in Garfield, NJ?
Garfield is a diverse city of approximately 33,500 residents known for its Italian food heritage, affordable housing, and growing cultural identity. With median home values of $500K–$650K, it offers one of the more accessible entry points in Bergen County.
Garfield is one of Bergen County's most diverse cities, with a strong cultural identity rooted in its Italian heritage that has expanded to embrace a rich multicultural dining scene. The city's revitalizing downtown and active community events make it an increasingly attractive option for homebuyers seeking affordability and character.
The housing stock includes a mix of multi-family homes, condos, and single-family residences, providing options for investors, first-time buyers, and growing households. The city's central location in Bergen County provides easy highway access via Route 46 and County Route 507.
Garfield is served by two NJ Transit train stations — Garfield and Plauderville — on the Bergen County Line, providing direct rail access to Hoboken Terminal. Multiple NJ Transit bus routes supplement rail service with direct connections to the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
Schools Serving Garfield, NJ?
Garfield Public Schools serve Pre-K through 12th grade across 11 schools in the district.
What Do Homes Cost in Garfield, NJ in 2026?
Median ~$614K. Multi-family, condos, and single-family homes. Strong value for Bergen County.
How Long Is the Commute from Garfield to NYC?
NJ Transit train from Garfield or Plauderville station. Bus routes to Port Authority. 40–60 min.
Where Are the Best Restaurants in Garfield, NJ?
Barcelona's Restaurant & Bar
A highly rated Spanish-Italian restaurant on Harrison Ave with paella, tapas, cocktails, and a lively atmosphere. A Garfield standout.
Pazza Luna Restaurant & Pizzeria
A casual Italian spot on Chestnut St serving pizza, pasta, and classic Italian-American dishes in a welcoming setting.
Woodlands Café
A neighborhood café on Frederick St serving coffee, breakfast items, and light fare in a relaxed atmosphere.
Garfield's Italian & International Dining
Garfield's dining scene reflects its Italian heritage alongside a growing selection of Latin American, Middle Eastern, and Asian restaurants throughout the city.
Garfield's dining scene reflects its Italian heritage alongside a growing selection of diverse international cuisines.
What Parks and Recreation Does Garfield Offer?
Garfield Memorial Park
The city's central park with athletic fields, playgrounds, a pool, and open green space for community recreation and events.
Veterans Memorial Park
A community park with memorial tributes, sports facilities, and landscaped grounds for family activities.
Midland Avenue Park
A neighborhood park with playgrounds, basketball courts, and open space for passive recreation.
Riverside Park
Green space along the Passaic River offering walking areas and natural settings within the city.
What Community Events and Festivals Happen in Garfield, NJ?
Garfield Italian Festival
An annual celebration of Garfield's Italian heritage with food vendors, live music, and cultural activities drawing visitors from across Bergen County.
Independence Day Celebration
Annual Fourth of July festivities with community activities, live entertainment, and evening fireworks.
Holiday Season Events
Festive community gatherings each December with seasonal activities and the official tree lighting ceremony.
Summer Concert Series
Free outdoor concerts throughout the summer featuring local and regional musical acts in city parks.
How Do You Get to Manhattan from Garfield, NJ?
Garfield is served by two NJ Transit stations on the Bergen County Line — Garfield station and Plauderville station. Both provide direct service to Hoboken Terminal, with connections to Penn Station via Secaucus Junction. Total commute is approximately 45–65 minutes.
Bus service via NJ Transit (Routes 160, 161, 702, 707, 709, and 758) provides direct access to the Port Authority Bus Terminal, often a faster option during peak commute hours.
By car, Garfield has convenient access to U.S. Route 46 and County Route 507, with the GW Bridge corridor reachable in approximately 15–20 minutes. Driving to Midtown takes 30–50 minutes off-peak.
Garfield — Schools & Education
Schools serving the Garfield area span public, private, parochial, and early childhood options across multiple grade levels.
Public Schools
The Garfield Public Schools serves this community. Schools in the district include:
Elementary Schools
- Garfield Public Schools (multiple) — Pre-K–5
Middle Schools
- Garfield Middle School — 6–8
High Schools
- Garfield High School — 9–12
For enrollment information and district details, visit Garfield Public Schools.
Day Care & Early Childhood
- Garfield Early Learning — Infant–Pre-K | Early childhood programs through local providers and district programs.
How Do You Get to NYC from Garfield?
Garfield is served by two NJ Transit train stations on the Bergen County Line, multiple bus routes, and easy highway access via Route 46.
NJ Transit Garfield Station
The Garfield station on the Bergen County Line provides direct service to Hoboken Terminal in approximately 30 minutes. Connect at Secaucus Junction for Penn Station service.
NJ Transit Plauderville Station
The Plauderville station, at the city's western edge, also provides Bergen County Line service to Hoboken Terminal.
NJ Transit Bus to Port Authority
Bus routes (160, 161, 702, 707, 709, 758) serve Garfield with connections to the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
Driving via Route 46
Route 46 provides highway access to the GW Bridge corridor and Lincoln Tunnel. Driving to Midtown takes approximately 30–50 minutes off-peak.
Average Commute
Garfield residents average approximately 45–65 minutes door-to-door to Midtown Manhattan.
What Are the Schools Like in Garfield?
Garfield's public schools serve the community through 12th grade, with 11 schools in the district providing a comprehensive educational pathway.
Garfield Public Schools (Pre-K–8)
The district operates multiple elementary and middle schools serving the city's approximately 33,500 residents.
Garfield High School
The city's public high school offering academics, athletics, and community engagement for grades 9–12.
Nearby Private Schools
Private and parochial options in neighboring Lodi, Saddle Brook, and Hackensack provide additional educational choices.
Garfield Public Library
The city library offers programs for all ages and serves as a community resource hub.
School ratings, when cited, are sourced from GreatSchools.org or Niche.com and are provided for informational purposes only. Verify current ratings directly with the relevant school district or rating source.
Where Are the Best Coffee Shops in Garfield?
Garfield has local cafés and bakeries throughout the city, with easy access to additional dining in Lodi, Saddle Brook, and Rutherford.
Local Cafés
Coffee shops and bakeries throughout Garfield serve the community's daily coffee needs.
Lodi & Rutherford Options (nearby)
Neighboring Lodi and Rutherford offer eclectic café and dining options just minutes away.
Is Garfield Good for Pet Owners?
Garfield is moderately pet-friendly with city parks and walkable residential streets. Veterinary services are available in the city and neighboring towns.
Nearby Veterinary Clinics
Veterinary practices in Garfield, Lodi, and Saddle Brook provide pet care.
City Parks
Community parks with open green space provide settings for leashed dog walks.
Pet Supply Shopping
Pet supply stores are accessible in nearby Lodi and the Route 46 corridor.
What Hospitals and Medical Services Are Near Garfield?
Hackensack University Medical Center and The Valley Hospital in Paramus are both accessible from Garfield.
Hackensack University Medical Center
One of New Jersey's largest hospitals, about 5 miles away. A Level I Trauma Center.
The Valley Hospital (Paramus)
A major hospital about 15 minutes away, providing emergency and specialty care.
Primary Care
Primary care physicians are available in Garfield and neighboring communities.
Pharmacies
CVS, Walgreens, and local pharmacies are accessible in Garfield.
Where Do Residents Shop for Groceries in Garfield?
Garfield has local markets and is minutes from major grocery shopping in Lodi, Saddle Brook, and Paramus.
Local Markets
Supermarkets and specialty stores throughout Garfield serve daily grocery needs.
ShopRite (nearby)
Full-service supermarkets in nearby Lodi and Paramus provide complete grocery selections.
International Markets
International food markets in Garfield and neighboring towns reflect the community's diverse culinary traditions.
Everyday Errands
Garfield's commercial corridors provide basic daily needs with larger retail in neighboring towns.
What Parks and Outdoor Spaces Does Garfield Offer?
Garfield offers city parks, riverside green space along the Passaic River, and proximity to the broader Bergen County park system.
City Parks
Community parks with playgrounds, sports fields, swimming pools, and open green space for recreation.
Passaic River Greenway
Walking areas and natural settings along the Passaic River corridor.
Nearby County Parks
Bergen County parks in neighboring communities provide additional outdoor recreation options.
Walking & Biking
Garfield's residential neighborhoods and parks provide walking and cycling routes.
Renting in Garfield
Central Bergen's most affordable borough with easy transit and a diverse community.
Rental Market Snapshot
What Renters Are Paying
| Unit Type | Monthly Rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,500 — $1,900/mo |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,700 — $2,200/mo |
| 2 Bedrooms | $2,100 — $2,700/mo |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,500 — $3,300/mo |
Average rent across all unit types: approximately $1,900/mo.
What You Get for That Rent
Garfield is one of the most affordable boroughs in Bergen County with easy transit access. The rental market includes garden-style apartments, walk-up apartments, and newer developments. Most buildings include parking, and the Garfield Public Library and Memorial Park are community gathering spots.
New Jersey Is One of the Most Renter-Friendly States in the Country
Security Deposit Protection
New Jersey caps security deposits at 1.5 months' rent. Landlords must hold your deposit in a separate interest-bearing account, and all accrued interest belongs to you. When you move out, your deposit must be returned within 30 days with an itemized statement of any deductions.
Anti-Eviction Protections
New Jersey's Anti-Eviction Act requires landlords to demonstrate just cause to terminate a tenancy, even at the end of a lease. This means you cannot be non-renewed without reason. Rent increases must also follow established notice requirements.
Required Disclosures
Before signing a lease, your landlord must provide a Truth in Renting statement explaining your rights, the required notice period for rent increases, and the terms under which your deposit is held. This disclosure is mandated by state law.
Source: New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Rent Security Deposit Act (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 through 46:8-26)
Affordable Bergen With Easy Transit
A first-person perspective on renting in Garfield.
Garfield occupies a sweet spot in Bergen County that few other towns can match: rents that are genuinely affordable for the region, a transit network that puts Manhattan within reach, and a diverse, welcoming community that has deep roots in Italian heritage while embracing new cultures and cuisines. For renters who want Bergen County access without the premium price tags of the Gold Coast or the GWB corridor towns, Garfield delivers.
The rental stock here is varied enough to fit different budgets and lifestyles. Garden apartments with parking, walk-ups near the train stations, and newer developments along the Route 46 corridor offer options from studios to three-bedrooms. Many buildings include at least one parking space, a significant advantage for renters who commute by car or need a vehicle for weekend errands.
Daily life in Garfield is shaped by its central Bergen County location. The Garfield Public Library is a genuine community hub, Memorial Park hosts summer activities and the Italian Festival draws crowds from across the region. The downtown along Midland Avenue and nearby commercial corridors provide everyday essentials, while larger retail and dining options in Lodi, Saddle Brook, and Paramus are just minutes away.
Scott Selleck has helped families rent and buy in Garfield for over three decades. If you are considering a move to central Bergen County, he can walk you through the rental market and help you find the right building and neighborhood for your needs.
Commute Options for Renters
NJ Transit Bus
- → Routes 160, 161, 702, 707, 709, 758
- → Direct to Port Authority Bus Terminal
- → Time: 40–60 minutes depending on route and traffic
- → Monthly pass: approximately $110–$130 (Zone 2–3)
- → Best for: Budget-conscious commuters, Midtown access
NJ Transit Train (nearby)
- → Garfield & Plauderville stations on Bergen County Line
- → Direct service to Hoboken Terminal (~30 min)
- → Transfer at Secaucus Junction to Penn Station
- → Monthly pass: approximately $150–$200 rail zone fare
- → Best for: Hoboken/Journal Square commuters, quieter ride
Driving
- → Route 46 access to GWB corridor and Lincoln Tunnel
- → Time: 30–50 minutes to Midtown (off-peak)
- → GWB toll: $14.79 off-peak / $16.79 peak (E-ZPass)
- → Rush hour: 55–75 minutes; bus may be faster
- → Parking: Most rental buildings include one assigned space
Garfield's central location in Bergen County means you are never far from the GWB corridor, Route 46, or NJ Transit rail and bus connections. The commute is a strong value proposition: lower rent, reliable transit, and a manageable 45–65 minute door-to-door trip.
What It Actually Costs to Rent in Garfield
Monthly Rent
Median $1,900/mo
for a typical 1-2 bedroom apartment
Security Deposit
Capped at 1.5 months' rent
by NJ law, held in escrow with interest
Utilities
Electric $100–$150/mo
gas $50–$70/mo, water $40–$55/mo
Internet
Comcast and Verizon Fios
$60–$90/mo for standard plans
Parking
Most buildings include one space
Additional spaces $75–$150/mo
Pet Costs
Monthly pet rent $25–$50
Some buildings require a one-time pet deposit
All figures are estimates based on current Garfield market data as of August 2026. Actual costs vary by building, unit size, and lease terms.
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Sources & Learn More — Garfield
Nearby Towns
Lodi
Conveniently located Bergen County borough.
Saddle Brook
Highway access and suburban convenience.
Wallington
Passaic County border town with strong community.
Elmwood Park
Diverse Bergen County borough with city access.
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