Toms River vs Brick, NJ: Which Fits Your Budget?
Local Knowledge. Shore Results. Updated October 2026Direct answer: Toms River Township and Brick Township are two of Ocean County's biggest towns, and they land close together on price. Toms River's median active listing and Brick's both run $569,000. The bigger difference is daily life. Toms River is the county seat, with a downtown and its own barrier island neighborhoods. Brick's water runs through the Metedeconk River and bay lagoons, and Brick has a direct bus line to Manhattan.
Quick Comparison
| Toms River Township | Brick Township | |
|---|---|---|
| County | Ocean | Ocean |
| Character | County seat, downtown business district plus lagoon-front neighborhoods and its own barrier island beach block | Large mainland town built around the Metedeconk River and bay lagoons, plus a separate barrier peninsula section |
| Known for | Downtown/the Village, Ortley Beach, Silverton | Windward Beach Park, Brick Reservoir, Herbertsville, Lake Riviera |
| Waterfront style | Lagoon-front mainland sections plus an oceanfront barrier island neighborhood | River and bay lagoon canals, oceanfront barrier peninsula reachable only by crossing the Mantoloking Bridge |
| Median list price | $569,000 (median active list price) | $569,000 (median active list price) |
| Property tax rate (effective) | 1.523% (avg. bill ~$8,528) | 1.575% (avg. bill ~$8,093) |
Pricing pulled from active MLS residential and condo listings (384 in Toms River Township, excluding the separate borough of South Toms River; 221 in Brick Township), October 2026. Tax rates are 2025 effective rates from NJ municipal tax data.
The Actual Tradeoff
The two towns are close enough in price that the decision comes down to which version of Ocean County life you want.
Toms River puts you in the county's hub. You're close to the courthouse, the main library, and a downtown business district. You can live lagoon-front on the mainland, or go all the way out to a barrier island beach block in Ortley Beach.
Brick is quieter and more contained. It's built around the Metedeconk River, the Barnegat Bay lagoons, and a 120-acre reservoir with its own trail loop. It's also one of the few Ocean County towns with a direct NJ Transit bus line into Manhattan, which matters if a city commute is part of your life.
Want the full breakdown? Start with this page's companion post, or go to the individual town guides.
Curious about other towns at this price point? Try the town comparison tool
Ready to Talk It Through?
Not sure which side of the bay fits your budget and your commute? Reach out or call me at (609) 709-2742.
Matt Quinn, United Real Estate Associates
(609) 709-2742
matt@mattquinnsellshomes.com