Montclair Real Estate Market Report: October 2026

$1.25M Median Sale Price Marks Stable Month

Montclair's real estate market remained relatively flat in October 2026, with a median sale price of $1,250,000 across 63 closed transactions. While this represents a modest 1% year-over-year increase, the month-to-month trend tells a different story: sales activity declined 13.8% from September, signaling a seasonal slowdown as we head into the final quarter of the year.

Market Overview

October brought a notable shift in inventory dynamics. Active listings climbed to 146 properties, pushing the months of supply to 7—a significant jump that suggests the market is moving away from the tight conditions that characterized much of 2025 and early 2026. This expanded inventory is beginning to reshape negotiating power in Montclair, though the sale-to-list ratio of 119.1% indicates that homes are still selling above asking price on average, albeit by a narrower margin than earlier in the year.

Days on market averaged 79 days in October, reflecting the seasonal nature of fall transactions. Fewer active buyers and the back-to-school period typically contribute to longer selling timelines. However, this metric remains reasonable for a market of Montclair's caliber and price point.

The year-over-year stability in median price—up just 1%—masks underlying volatility. The sharp month-to-month decline in sales volume suggests that buyer activity has cooled considerably. This is not unusual for October in North Jersey, but it does indicate that the urgency that drove the market earlier in 2026 has dissipated.

Price Segment Breakdown

Montclair's market remains heavily weighted toward luxury properties. Of the 63 sales in October:

• Under $400K: 5 sales (median $315,000)
• $400K–$700K: 3 sales (median $515,000)
• Over $700K: 55 sales (median $1,395,000)

The concentration of activity in the over-$700K segment—87% of all sales—underscores Montclair's positioning as a high-end market. Entry-level inventory remains scarce, with only 8 sales below $700K for the entire month. This structural imbalance means that buyers seeking sub-$700K properties face limited options, while sellers in that range may find a receptive market.

What This Means for Owners

If you're considering selling, October's data suggests a window of opportunity before year-end. While sales volume has declined, homes are still commanding premiums above asking price. The expanded inventory (7 months of supply) means you'll face more competition than you would have six months ago, so pricing strategically and presenting your home competitively will matter more. The 79-day average DOM indicates you should plan for a longer marketing period than the spring market typically requires. List now if you want to close before the holidays; waiting until January will put you in a much more crowded field.

What This Means for Buyers

October's market offers more breathing room than earlier in 2026. With 146 active listings and 7 months of supply, you have genuine options and less pressure to make rushed offers. The 119.1% sale-to-list ratio, while still favoring sellers, is softer than the 125%+ ratios seen in spring. This is a better time to negotiate terms, inspection contingencies, and closing timelines. However, don't mistake a buyer-friendlier market for a buyer's market—homes are still selling above asking. Expect competition in the under-$700K segment, where inventory is thinnest.

Key Metrics

Metric	October 2026
Median Sale Price	$1,250,000
Sales Volume	63
Active Inventory	146
Months of Supply	7
Average Days on Market	79
Sale-to-List Ratio	119.1%
YoY Price Change	+1%
MoM Sales Change	-13.8%

AI-generated estimates for informational purposes only. Not appraisals.

Data sourced from NJMLS and GSMLS via Garden State AI.