159 Gates Avenue, which spent months on the market before selling for $8.1 million in July and setting a new record for the highest-priced home sale in Montclair.

Selling your home in Montclair? Here’s some good news:

Montclair is No. 2 among the hottest places to buy a home in the U.S., according to Realtor.com’s 2026 ranking of the nation’s hottest ZIP codes. Only Peabody, Massachusetts, ranked higher.

And that’s with a median listing price of more than $1 million.

Homes in Montclair’s 07042 ZIP code spent an average of just 18 days on the market and attracted more than three times the national average number of views.

So what’s drawing more buyers to town — even at those prices?

Maybe it’s the train. Maybe it’s the restaurants.Alfresco dinner on Church Street — just one of the things buyers are apparently willing to pay a premium for. (PHOTO: snapshotsforthesoul)

Maybe it’s the Midtown Direct. Maybe it’s the fantastic restaurants and farmers market, the vibrant arts scene or the rich mix of Victorians (who doesn’t love a good lemonade porch), Tudors, Colonials and mid-century modern homes.

Montclair also manages to be a suburb without quite feeling like one.

As the Montclair Center BID puts it: “Where the suburb meets the city.”

Of course, Montclair has long attracted actors and creatives. It’s home to nationally recognized film and jazz festivals and has its own art museum. Montclair’s appeal made it a a destination this summer for World Cup teams who chose to make the town their home base during the tournament — including Spain, which went on to win it all.

And according to the ranking, homes for sale in 07042 averaged 2,625 square feet in the first half of 2026 — about 86% larger than the typical home in the New York metro area.

About those home prices

Travel + Leisure highlighted Montclair’s spot near the top of the list today, speaking with Realtor.com senior economist Hannah Jones about what makes the town such a hot market.

Jones found the No. 2 ranking a little surprising. She told Travel + Leisure she was struck by the fact that a ZIP code with a median listing price above $1 million could rank so highly. In the first half of 2026, the median listing price in 07042 was $1.05 million, with the typical buyer putting down more than $300,000.

And Montclair isn’t just pricey: It had the highest average home value of all 50 ZIP codes on the list.

Some of Montclair’s biggest salesDaybreak at 88 South Mountain Avenue sold for $5 million in January 2026 after months on the market. (MATT KOADOSH/MONTCLAIR LOCAL))

If you live in Montclair (and maybe survived a few multiple bid moments to buy a home) then you know demand for Montclair is nothing new. But that doesn’t mean every house flies off the market.

Back in April 2024, two spectacular properties hit the market: Daybreak at 88 South Mountain Avenue, listed for $7.499 million, and 159 Gates Avenue, asking $8.5 million.

Both were poised to become the highest-priced home ever sold in Montclair.

And then they sat.

By December, neither had found a buyer. We checked back in on both properties to see what was next.

Daybreak had dropped its price to $6.75 million and brought in Serhant Real Estate. 159 Gates Avenue had been taken off the market, with plans to relaunch in the spring.

Eventually, both found their buyers.

Daybreak sold for $5 million on Jan. 20, 2026. And 159 Gates Avenue sold for $8.1 million on July 2, 2026, setting a new record for the highest-priced home ever sold in Montclair.

Looking to buy? On the market now…207 Union Street, Montclair, a 10-bedroom Estate Section stunner, is listed at $4,500,000. (GSMLS)

If you’re looking to buy in Montclair, at the high end of the market this week is 207 Union Street. The 1913 Renaissance Revival in Montclair’s Estate Section has 10 bedrooms and European villa charm to spare. Taxes are $47,001.

10 Alden Road, Montclair. (GSMLS)

Looking for something more affordable? Check out 10 Alden Road. This 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath Tudor, built in 1928, is offered at $799,000 with taxes listed at $12,893.

11 North Mountain, Montclair. (GSMLS)

And for something smack in the middle of the market (and with that lemonade porch!), check out 11 North Mountain Avenue. This 7-bedroom center hall Colonial also has a third floor apartment that generates $3000 in rental income. Priced at $1,350,000; taxes listed at $26,215.

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