Short Hills and Westfield are both premier NJ luxury commuter towns, but they attract different buyer profiles. Short Hills is the pricier, more corporate, more nationally-known option. Westfield is the larger, slightly more affordable, family-heavy option. Both are on Midtown Direct — with meaningfully different commute times.
Short Hills for buyers who want the ultimate luxury name + shortest commute, willing to pay $200K-$500K+ more for the address. Westfield for buyers who want the premium commuter lifestyle at a relative discount with more house for the money.
| Factor | Short Hills (Millburn Township) | Westfield |
|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price 2026 | ~$1.7M (Short Hills) | ~$925K |
| Population (Township) | ~20,000 (Millburn Twp) | ~31,000 |
| NYC Commute (Penn Station) | 30-35 min direct (Short Hills station) | 50-55 min (transfer via Newark) |
| School Rating | A+ (Millburn Public Schools, Top 3 NJ) | A+ (Top 10 NJ) |
| Downtown | Small commercial area + The Mall at Short Hills | Full vibrant downtown |
| Luxury Market Depth | Very deep $2M-$5M+ inventory | Strong but less $3M+ availability |
| Property Tax Rate | ~1.8% | ~2.0% |
| Lot Sizes | Larger on average (0.3-1 acre) | Medium (0.2-0.4 acre) |
Short Hills is a neighborhood of Millburn Township — a small, affluent, intensely corporate section anchored by the Short Hills train station and The Mall at Short Hills. The Millburn Public Schools system routinely ranks in the top 3 of NJ. Home prices reflect the combination of premium schools, 30-35 min Midtown Direct commute, and genuine luxury inventory. Many residents work in NYC finance, consulting, or executive roles.
Westfield is larger, less corporate, and more family-focused than Short Hills. The downtown is a true destination (restaurants, shops, farmers market). Schools are excellent but the commute is 15-25 min longer because of the required transfer at Newark Penn. For families that want premium suburbs without the Short Hills price tag, Westfield is the most common alternative.
Most buyers can be happy in either Short Hills (Millburn Township) or Westfield — both are objectively excellent NJ towns. The right choice comes down to what you specifically value: commute length, lifestyle pace, home price, downtown character, or school ranking nuance. I walk buyers through these trade-offs in the first consultation so you're not picking based on a Zillow photo.
The other factor: what's actually on market when you're ready to buy. Short Hills (Millburn Township) might win on paper but have no inventory in your price range this month. Westfield might have three listings that perfectly fit. Flexibility matters — don't fall in love with the town, fall in love with the right house in whichever town has it.
Before you choose: mortgage calculator, closing costs calculator, moving from NYC guide, and the NJ buyer agency agreement explained.
A free 30-minute conversation. We'll map your commute, budget, and school priorities, and you'll leave knowing which town (and which specific neighborhoods within it) actually fit.
Call Jorge: 908-230-7844 Request Consultation