REALTOR® · Compass
A full-time Realtor for more than ten years and founder of Beachspoke Real Estate, I help buyers, sellers and investors from Cape May's Victorian streets to the bayside in North Cape May. Every price I recommend starts with recent closed sales.
25
Homes sold in the city of Cape May in August 2026.
My free Cape May buyer guide covers neighborhoods, flood zones, taxes and every step to the keys.
Source: Redfin,96.5%
Median sale-to-list price in Cape May in August 2026.
Homes sold about 3.5% under asking. I will give you a written pricing and marketing plan before you list.
Source: Redfin,$907
Median sale price per square foot in Cape May.
Up 21.8% year over year. I compare your home with recent nearby comparable sales.
Source: Redfin, three months endingBrowse all listingsOr call or text 609-224-7380
01The Destination
Cape May sits at the southern tip of New Jersey, where the Garden State Parkway begins at mile 0 and the Atlantic meets Delaware Bay. Philadelphia is about 85 miles away, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours by car.
The town is named for Dutch captain Cornelius Jacobsen Mey, who explored this coast in the early 1600s. It incorporated as Cape Island in 1848 and took the name Cape May City in 1869. After a fire burned about 30 blocks in 1878, the town rebuilt in the Victorian style you see today. In 1976 the whole city became a National Historic Landmark district.
The places I send clients first are a short drive apart. The Washington Street Mall has been a pedestrian street since 1971. Cape May Point State Park holds the 1859 lighthouse. Higbee Beach is my favorite hidden gem, and the bayside in North Cape May has the best sunsets, with Harpoons on the Bay and the Cape May-Lewes Ferry close by.
Here is what makes buying here distinct. The 08204 ZIP code covers the city, West Cape May and much of Lower Township, so prices, tax rates and flood exposure change block by block. I confirm the municipality, flood zone and rental rules for every address before you write an offer.
Sources: Cape May (Wikipedia); Cape May Historic District; Washington Street Mall; 08204 population (ACS); Redfin Cape May, accessed .
Colleen O'Hara REALTOR®, Beachspoke Real Estate
NJ License 2079187
02 Get to know Colleen O'Hara
I lead Beachspoke Real Estate, and my clients know me as "the Digger." I go deeper, look farther and lean on years of local relationships to find opportunities others miss, from off-market beach homes to investment plays.
I work with Compass and hold New Jersey license 2079187. I live in Cape May year-round and serve buyers, sellers and investors from Cape May County to the Pennsylvania suburbs. Here, that means Cape May, West Cape May, Cape May Point and North Cape May.
Their skill, professionalism and patience is unmatched.
How past clients describe working with Colleen · Frankie P., first-time buyer
My marketing approach for sellers starts with the numbers. In August 2026, Cape May homes sold at a median 96.5% of list price and took a median 42 days, about three weeks longer than a year earlier. I price from closed sales and prepare the home before it goes live, so yours does not sit.
I grew up in Havertown, Pennsylvania, and played lacrosse at Haverford High School, where I was a High School All-American. I went to Penn State on a Division I scholarship, earned All-American honors twice and finished a degree in Health and Human Services.
After college I worked as a mortgage consultant, guiding buyers through financing. I then helped build a college athletic CRM platform, which taught me strategy and systems. I started The O'Hara Home Team and now lead Beachspoke, a bridge from the beaches of Cape May County to the suburbs of Pennsylvania.
My approach is simple: work harder, dig deeper, protect the client. Off the clock, I cheer for Philly teams and explore Cape May with my wife, Jacqueline, and our daughter, Kayslee.
Last updated:
Cape May 08204
I represent buyers and sellers in Cape May, West Cape May, Cape May Point and North Cape May, from bayside ranches to Victorian cottages.
View homes for saleFounder of Beachspoke Real Estate, a former mortgage consultant, and a year-round Cape May resident.
As of October 2026, homes in the city of Cape May sold at a median of $1,344,110 over the three months ending August, up 43.9% from a year earlier. Price per square foot rose 21.8% to $907. Redfin counted 25 sales in August, at a median 96.5% of list. At the median with 20% down and Freddie Mac's 7.28% average, principal and interest run about $7,357 a month, and the 0.587% effective tax rate adds roughly $657.
My read: The headline jump comes from a small set of high-end city sales, so I would not read it as every home gaining 44%. Homes are taking longer and selling a little under list, which gives buyers room to negotiate. The real swing costs here are flood insurance and which side of the city line you buy on.
The 08204 ZIP covers Cape May City, West Cape May and much of Lower Township, in Cape May County. See all Cape May homes for sale or jump to the monthly cost calculator.
| Location | The southern tip of New Jersey, about 85 miles from Philadelphia · Cape May City, West Cape May and parts of Lower Township | Wikipedia |
|---|---|---|
| People | About 16,573 residents in ZIP 08204 | Census ACS |
| Sale prices | $1,344,110 city median · $907 per sq ft (up 21.8%) · 3 months ending Aug 2026 | Redfin |
| Speed | 42 median days on market · 25 sales in August 2026 · Redfin Compete Score 55 | Redfin |
| County asking prices | $849,968 median listing price and 59 median days on market, Cape May County, Sept 2026 | Realtor.com via FRED |
| Property tax | 2025 effective rates of 0.587% in Cape May City, 0.690% in West Cape May, 0.416% in Cape May Point and 1.014% in Lower Township | NJ Division of Taxation |
| Flood exposure | Extreme. About 97% of city properties (3,412) at severe flood risk over 30 years | First Street via Redfin |
| Mortgage rate | 7.28% 30-year fixed average, week of Oct 1, 2026 (6.34% a year ago) | Freddie Mac PMMS |
Redfin lists 8 closings with Cape May 08204 addresses from September 18 to October 2, 2026. Their median was $515,700, ranging from $350,000 on Bayshore Road to $1,400,000 on Englewood Road. Most were in North Cape May and Lower Township, which is why the ZIP and city medians differ so much.
Figures are third-party estimates as cited, gathered October 2026. They describe homes and sales, not the people who live here. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
08204 Housing Pulse · Updated
Analysis by Colleen O'Hara, REALTOR®, Compass · Founder, Beachspoke Real Estate · Licensed since 2015
Each reading below is tagged by which side it helps. Sources differ in period, so each card states its own.
Redfin put the city median at 42 days on market in August 2026, about 21 days slower than a year earlier. Typical homes sold about 2% under list, while well-priced homes still went pending in about 9 days.
At Redfin's $1,344,110 city median with 20% down and a 7.28% rate, principal and interest run about $7,357 a month. Property tax at the 0.587% effective rate adds about $657, before flood and homeowners insurance.
Up, with a caveat. Redfin's city median rose 43.9% and price per square foot rose 21.8%, but only 25 homes sold in August. In North Cape May the median fell about 9%, so the trend depends on the neighborhood.
| Metric | Now | A year ago | Period | Definition | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $1,344,110 | about $934,000 | 3 months ending Aug 2026 | The middle price of all homes that closed in the period. | Redfin |
| Sale price per sq ft | $907 | about $745 | 3 months ending Aug 2026 | Sale price divided by finished living area, median across sales. | Redfin |
| Homes sold | 25 | about 24 | Aug 2026 | Closed sales Redfin counted in the city of Cape May. | Redfin |
| Median days on market | 42 | about 21 | Aug 2026 | Days from listing to pending contract, median. | Redfin |
| Sale-to-list price | 96.5% | about 98.4% | Aug 2026 | Sale price as a share of the final list price, median. | Redfin |
| Homes sold above list | 12.5% | about 29.1% | Aug 2026 | Share of sales that closed above list price. | Redfin |
| Median listing price, county | $849,968 | n/a | Sept 2026 | Middle asking price of active listings in Cape May County. | Realtor.com via FRED |
| Recent 08204 closings, median | $515,700 | n/a | Closings Sept 18 to Oct 2, 2026 | Middle price of the eight 08204 closings Redfin listed. | Redfin |
| 30-year mortgage rate | 7.28% | 6.34% | Week of Oct 1, 2026 | Freddie Mac weekly average, conforming loans, 20% down. | Freddie Mac PMMS |
| Principal and interest at median | $7,357/mo | about $4,645/mo | Oct 2026 | 20% down on the median price, 30-year fixed. | Calculated |
| Property tax at median | $657/mo | n/a | 2025 tax year | Median price times the 0.587% Cape May City effective rate. | NJ Division of Taxation |
| Severe flood risk, 30 years | 97% | n/a | First Street model | Share of city properties at severe flood risk over 30 years. | First Street via Redfin |
Cite this: Colleen O'Hara, Compass, "Cape May 08204 Housing Pulse," https://beachspokerealestate.com/#pulse, updated October 7, 2026.
Year-ago values are derived from each source's reported change. Periods differ by source and are stated on every card. Figures describe homes and sales, not residents. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
Six areas buyers ask about most, side by side: the price figures I can cite against the city median, the monthly payment on that figure, and what drives value in each. Filter by home type.
Showing 6 of 6 neighborhoods
Median sale $1,344,110
About $7,357/mo principal and interest20% down at 7.28%, on $1,344,110
National Historic Landmark since 1976
The gingerbread streets between the Washington Street Mall and Beach Avenue, rebuilt after the 1878 fire. Exterior changes go through the city's historic review.
Median sale about $1.3M
About $7,116/mo principal and interest20% down at 7.28%, on $1,300,000
4 sales, 3 months to Aug 2026
A one-square-mile borough of cottages and farmhouses next to the city, home to Beach Plum Farm, Willow Creek Winery and the Lima Bean Festival.
Median sale about $2.1M
About $11,495/mo principal and interest20% down at 7.28%, on $2,100,000
305 residents in 2020
A quiet borough of shingled cottages around the lighthouse, the state park and Lake Lily. A small sample, so I price from each recent sale.
Median sale $499,669
About $2,735/mo principal and interest20% down at 7.28%, on $499,669
Down 9.15% year over year
Bayside streets of ranches and capes near the ferry terminal, Harpoons on the Bay and the Cape May Winery, at well under half the city median.
Median sale $467,141
About $2,557/mo principal and interest20% down at 7.28%, on $467,141
Up 7.9% year over year
Inland streets around Seashore Road and Route 9, near the regional high school campus, Cape May Airport and the start of the Garden State Parkway.
Recent sale $435,000
About $2,381/mo principal and interest20% down at 7.28%, on $435,000
Closed September 29, 2026
The lowest entry into 08204. A three-bedroom, 1,000 sq ft unit at 755 Route 9 closed at $435,000, just under its $439,900 list price.
No neighborhood matches that filter. Ask me about nearby options.
Figures reflect Redfin medians for the three months ending August 2026 and a September 2026 closing, seen in October 2026, and move constantly. Payment estimates exclude tax, insurance and HOA dues; see the monthly cost calculator. The dark tick on each bar marks the Cape May city median sale price of $1,344,110.
The same numbers point different ways depending on whether you are buying, selling or investing. Pick your goal for the two signals that matter most and the move I would make next.
42 daysmedian on market, up 21 days
Redfin shows the median Cape May home took 42 days in August 2026, and only 12.5% sold above list.
Why it matters: you can inspect, insure and negotiate without racing a crowd on most homes.
Redfin, Aug 2026
$7,357monthly principal and interest at median
A higher median and a rate of 7.28%, up from 6.34%, put the payment about $2,712 above a year ago.
Why it matters: many buyers shop North Cape May or West Cape May for the same beach access at a lower price.
Redfin and Freddie Mac · 20% down on the median
$907per sq ft, up 21.8%
Redfin's price per square foot rose 21.8% over the three months ending August 2026.
Why it matters: buyers still pay a premium for condition and location. Lead with both in your marketing.
Redfin, 3 months to Aug 2026
96.5%median sale-to-list
Only 12.5% of August sales closed above list, down 16.6 points from a year earlier.
Why it matters: overpricing costs time and usually a cut. Price it right on day one.
Redfin, Aug 2026
0.587%effective tax rate, Cape May City
At 0.587%, tax on the median city home is about $657 a month. Lower Township runs 1.014%.
Why it matters: two homes at the same price can carry different bills across the city line. Check the municipality first.
NJ Division of Taxation, 2025 rates
97%severe flood risk, 30 years
First Street data via Redfin rate about 3,412 city properties at severe flood risk over 30 years.
Why it matters: elevation, flood zone and insurance cost belong in every pro forma.
First Street Foundation via Redfin
Jump to: Housing pulse · Neighborhoods · Price trends · Monthly cost calculator · Risk exposure · FAQ
By Colleen O'Hara, REALTOR®, Compass · Updated · Figures carry their source; interpretation lines are mine.
01The 60-Second Overview
Cape May sits at the southern tip of New Jersey, where the Garden State Parkway starts and Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic. ZIP 08204 spans the city, West Cape May and much of Lower Township. Four chapters, fifteen seconds each.
Whalers settled Town Bank around 1640. The resort incorporated as Cape Island in 1848, and the Cape May Lighthouse rose in 1859. After the 1878 fire, the town rebuilt in the Victorian style that earned National Historic Landmark status in 1976.
1878
The fire that led to the Victorian rebuild
ZIP 08204 counts about 16,573 residents in Census estimates. The Washington Street Mall holds more than 90 shops, Cape May Point State Park covers 244 acres, and the Cape May-Lewes Ferry has crossed to Delaware since 1964.
Homes in the city sold at a median of $1,344,110 over the three months ending August 2026, at $907 per square foot. In North Cape May the median was $499,669. Recent 08204 closings ran from $350,000 to $1,400,000.
$1,344,110
Cape May city median sale, 3 months to Aug 2026
$907/sq ft · 42 days · flood risk Extreme
Inside one ZIP code, the municipality, flood zone, tax rate, rental rules and water service can change from street to street. I verify each of these for a specific home before you commit, usually during the inspection period.
1:00Your next sixty seconds
Sources: Cape May; Cape May Historic District; Cape May County; Washington Street Mall; Redfin Cape May; Redfin North Cape May; Census ACS, accessed .
Each chart states its window and sample. Two-point charts compare the same window a year apart; the recent-closings charts use the 08204 sales Redfin lists for September 18 to October 2, 2026, so single homes move them.
Adjust the numbers for your home
Defaults: Redfin's Cape May city median price, Freddie Mac's Oct 1, 2026 rate, and the 0.587% 2025 Cape May City effective tax rate. Your real bill follows the parcel's assessment and tax rate. Add your HOA, homeowners and flood insurance quotes. Estimate only; excludes PMI.
Get A Real Number For A Real HouseHow many people the ZIP holds, and how exposed its homes are to flood, wind and heat over the next 30 years.
Sources: 08204 population (ACS); First Street via Redfin, Cape May; First Street via Redfin 08204. Check FEMA flood maps and get a flood insurance quote for any specific address, especially near the harbor and bay.
Nearby Communities
Most buyers I meet compare Cape May with two or three nearby shore towns before they decide. The trade-offs are real: beach fees, flood exposure, tax rates and even the state change within a short drive or ferry ride.
Compare communities with Colleen
A borough of about a third of a square mile around the Cape May Lighthouse, Cape May Point State Park and the Cape May Bird Observatory. Summer brings about 4,500 people; the 2020 census counted 305.
A barrier island borough known for free lifeguarded beaches and its share of the nation's largest collection of mid-century Doo Wop architecture. Like Cape May Point, it is a dry town.
The county seat in Middle Township, home to Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional and the free Cape May County Park and Zoo. Yards tend to be larger and prices lower than on the islands.
A small island borough with the Wetlands Institute and the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary. The year-round count is under 800, while summer passes 20,000.
Avalon calls itself Cooler by a Mile because it juts farther into the ocean than its neighbors. My Compass office sits on Dune Drive here, and the summer population reaches about 45,000.
Across Delaware Bay on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, Lewes calls itself the First Town in the First State and sits beside Cape Henlopen State Park. Buyers here often own on both sides of the bay.
Populations are 2020 census counts; Cape May Court House is a census-designated place inside Middle Township. Sources: Cape May Point; Wildwood Crest; Cape May Court House; Stone Harbor; Avalon; Lewes; Cape May-Lewes Ferry. Drive times are off-peak estimates from the Washington Street Mall.
How I Help
One point of contact from the first showing or pricing meeting through closing. I answer the phone, and I tell you what I would do.
I set up your search, tour with you and give you a written read on every home you like. Before you offer, I pull the closed sales, the flood zone and the tax rate for that exact address.
Search homes for sale for buyer representation in Cape MayI price your home from recent closed sales, not wishful thinking, and prepare it before the first photo. You get a written marketing plan and weekly updates once you list.
Request a listing plan for seller representation in Cape MaySome of the best beach homes trade quietly. I lean on years of local relationships to find owners open to selling, and I help second-home buyers plan for seasonal use.
Ask about off-market homes for off-market and second homes in Cape MayBefore you buy a rental, I check the city's rental license rules, the flood insurance cost and the tax bill. You get a plain cash-flow view, not a sales pitch.
Run the numbers with me for investment and rental analysis in Cape MayMoving from the Philadelphia suburbs to the shore, or back? I work both sides, run live video tours and line up timing so you only move once.
Plan a move for relocation in Cape MayI compare your home with recent nearby sales and adjust for size, condition, elevation and lot. You get a price range in writing with the comparable sales attached.
Get my home value for home valuation in Cape MayLife in Cape May
Cape May is a city of about 2.47 square miles at the tip of Cape May County, incorporated as Cape Island in 1848. The 08204 ZIP code also reaches into West Cape May and Lower Township. These are the six questions I hear most.
Neighborhoods
Recent closings show the spread. A three-bedroom on Bayshore Road sold for $350,000 in September 2026. A home on Towerview Road closed at $574,000, and a three-bedroom on Englewood Road sold for $1,400,000.
$350K to $1.4M in two weeks
Schools
It depends on the town. Cape May City Elementary serves the city and Cape May Point, and West Cape May Elementary serves the borough. Lower Township has its own four schools. All three send grades 7 to 12 to Lower Cape May Regional.
Verify by municipality
Commute
Drivers take the Garden State Parkway and Atlantic City Expressway, about 85 miles and 1.5 to 2 hours. NJ Transit routes 313 and 315 run year-round to Philadelphia from the Welcome Center on Lafayette Street.
Bus or an 85-mile drive
Size
The city covers about 2.47 square miles of land and counted 2,768 residents in 2020. The wider 08204 ZIP adds West Cape May and much of Lower Township, about 16,573 people in Census estimates.
2.47 square miles
Taxes
Cape May City's 2025 general rate was 1.093 per $100 of assessed value, an effective rate of 0.587%. The 2026 general rate is 1.118. Lower Township ran 1.014% effective in 2025, so the town line matters.
0.587% effective, 2025
Parks
Cape May Point State Park covers 244 acres with three trails. Higbee Beach spans 1,159 acres on the bay, with part closed through December 2026. The Promenade runs nearly 2 miles along Beach Avenue.
State park, bay, promenadeSources: Redfin recent sales, accessed ; Cape May City School District; Lower Cape May Regional; NJ Transit shore service; NJ 2025 tax rates; Cape May City tax rate; Cape May Point State Park; Higbee Beach WMA; The Promenade.
Weekends here run on bay sunsets, bird walks, Victorian streets and a ferry to Delaware. These are real places my clients use across Cape May, West Cape May, Cape May Point and North Cape May.
244 acres around the 1859 lighthouse, with three color-coded trails, ponds, a beach and the World War II bunker known as Battery 223. Climb 199 steps on the spiral stair for the view.
Source: NJ State ParksMy favorite hidden gem: 1,159 acres of dunes, fields and bay beach managed by NJ Fish and Wildlife, famous for the fall bird migration. Part of it is closed through December 2026 for wetland restoration.
Source: WikipediaThe bay beach where the concrete ship Atlantus ran aground in 1926. From Memorial Day to September 30, a flag-lowering ceremony honoring veterans starts 30 minutes before sunset.
Source: capemay.comThree pedestrian blocks from Ocean Street to Perry Street, open since June 24, 1971, with more than 90 shops, cafes and ice cream stops.
Source: City of Cape MayA paved walkway of nearly 2 miles along Beach Avenue, free and open without a beach tag. Bikes are allowed early mornings in season, and leashed dogs off season.
Source: capemay.comAn 1879 Stick Style mansion by architect Frank Furness at 1048 Washington Street, saved from demolition in 1970 and now run as a museum by Cape May MAC.
Source: Cape May MACA 17-mile, roughly 85-minute crossing to Lewes, Delaware, from the North Cape May terminal at 1200 Lincoln Boulevard. Service began July 1, 1964.
Source: Cape May-Lewes FerryThe bayfront spot in North Cape May, once Harpoon Henry's, where locals gather for sunset on the Delaware Bay. It takes no reservations, so arrive early.
Source: Harpoons on the BayHours, fees and seasonal rules change. Check each link before you go.
Education
Each town in 08204 runs its own elementary schools, then sends grades 7 to 12 to the Lower Cape May Regional School District, formed in 1956. The district serves Cape May City, West Cape May and Lower Township, plus Cape May Point through a send-receive agreement.
Preschool to grade 6
Cape May City, West Cape May and Lower Township
Cape May City Elementary (PreK to 6), West Cape May Elementary (PreK to 6) and the four Lower Township schools, which split the grades by building. Assignment follows the municipality, not the ZIP.
Grades 7 to 12
Lower Cape May Regional School District
Teitelman Middle School (7 to 8) and Lower Cape May Regional High School (9 to 12) share one campus on Route 9. Cape May County Technical High School is an option by application.
01Elementary
Grades PreK to 6
Cape May City School District
Sources: Cape May City School District; SchoolDigger, accessed .
02 Middle
Grades 7 to 8
Lower Cape May Regional School District
Sources: Lower Cape May Regional; SchoolDigger, accessed .
03High School
Grades 9 to 12
Lower Cape May Regional School District
Sources: Lower Cape May Regional High School; NJ School Performance Report; Niche, accessed .
North Wildwood, NJ
A Diocese of Camden school that opened in 1948 as Wildwood Catholic High School and added lower grades in a 2020 merger.
Cape May Court House, NJ
Known as Cape Christian Academy until August 2025, on Oyster Road in Middle Township.
Cape May Court House, NJ
A public high school founded in 1991 and open to students from across the county by application.
Cape May Court House, NJ
Its Cape May County campus at 341 Court House-South Dennis Road opened in 2005.
Atlantic City, NJ
A four-year public university campus on Atlantic Avenue that opened in 2018, about an hour north.
Listed for reference, not as a ranking. Confirm admissions, grades served and tuition directly with each school, accessed .
Verify school assignment by address The 08204 ZIP code crosses town lines, and each town has its own elementary district. I confirm the municipality and school with the district before you write an offer.
Day to day, Cape May works like a small town with a county backup. The city handles groceries, dinner and the library, Rio Grande handles the big-box runs, and Cape May Court House has the hospital, about 15 to 20 minutes up the Parkway.
Cape May Point State Park covers 244 acres with trails and the lighthouse. Higbee Beach adds 1,159 acres on the bay. The free Cape May County Park and Zoo at 707 Route 9 North in Cape May Court House keeps more than 550 animals.
Sources: NJ State Parks; Cape May County Park and Zoo, accessed .ACME at 315 Ocean Street is open 7 AM to 9 PM with a pharmacy, and a second ACME sits at 3845 Bayshore Road in North Cape May. ShopRite and Walmart in Rio Grande cover bigger runs.
Sources: ACME Markets; ShopRite of Rio Grande, accessed .Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional at 2 Stone Harbor Boulevard in Cape May Court House has a full emergency department. AtlantiCare Urgent Care sits at 900 Route 109 in Cape May, and Cooper runs urgent care centers in Wildwood and Cape May Court House.
Sources: Cooper University Health Care; Cooper Urgent Care, accessed .The Cape May City branch of the Cape May County Library now sits at 720 Franklin Street in the restored Franklin Street School, phone 609-884-9568. Cape May Convention Hall at 714 Beach Avenue hosts concerts and events year-round.
Sources: capemay.com; Cape May County Library, accessed .The Lobster House anchors Fisherman's Wharf, The Mad Batter has served on Jackson Street since 1976, and Washington Inn is the special-occasion pick. On the bay, Harpoons on the Bay owns sunset.
Sources: The Lobster House; The Mad Batter, accessed .The Washington Street Mall holds more than 90 shops. Beach Plum Farm runs a 62-acre working farm in West Cape May, and the Emlen Physick Estate offers house tours of an 1879 Furness mansion.
Sources: City of Cape May; Beach Plum Farm, accessed .Cape May sits at mile 0 of the Garden State Parkway, which connects to the Atlantic City Expressway for Philadelphia and runs north toward New York. NJ Transit routes 313 and 315 run year-round to Philadelphia from the Welcome Center at 609 Lafayette Street, and route 552 runs to Atlantic City. There is no passenger rail. The Cape May-Lewes Ferry crosses to Delaware in about 85 minutes.
| Destination | Distance | Typical Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Center City Philadelphia | About 85 mi | 1.5 to 2 hr |
| Atlantic City | About 43 mi | 50 to 65 min |
| Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) | About 45 mi | 45 to 55 min |
| Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) | About 86 mi | 1 hr 40 to 50 min |
| New York City (Midtown) | About 154 mi | 3 to 4 hr |
| Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional | About 12 mi | 15 to 20 min |
| Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal | A few miles | About 5 min |
| Cape May Welcome Center (NJ Transit buses) | In town | Under 5 min |
Distances and times are off-peak estimates from the Washington Street Mall, based on Rome2Rio and capemay.com, checked . Summer weekend traffic on the Parkway can add a lot; check live traffic before you go.
Few beach towns carry this much history in so small a space. Whalers, a great fire, a concrete ship and a landmark designation all shaped the streets you will tour. Here are six moments, in order.
Settlement1640
Around 1640, whalers set up Town Bank on the bay, the first European settlement in the county. The cape itself carries the name of Dutch captain Cornelius Jacobsen Mey, who charted this coast in the early 1600s.
Source: Cape May County, Wikipedia; Lower Township history.
Incorporation1848
The resort incorporated as Cape Island Borough on March 8, 1848, became a city in 1851 and took the name Cape May City on March 9, 1869.
Source: Cape May, Wikipedia.
Rebuild1878
A five-day fire in 1878 destroyed about 30 blocks. Congress Hall was rebuilt in brick in 1879, and President Benjamin Harrison later used it as his summer White House.
Source: Congress Hall, Wikipedia.
Shipwreck1926
The SS Atlantus, an experimental concrete ship launched in 1918, broke loose in a storm in July 1926 and grounded off Sunset Beach. Its wreck is still visible offshore.
Source: SS Atlantus, Wikipedia.
Connection1964
The Cape May-Lewes Ferry began service on July 1, 1964, run by the Delaware River and Bay Authority. The 17-mile crossing carries US Route 9 across Delaware Bay.
Source: Cape May-Lewes Ferry, Wikipedia.
Landmark1976
On May 11, 1976, the Cape May Historic District became a National Historic Landmark: more than 600 buildings on about 380 acres. It is described as the only U.S. city wholly designated a national historic district.
Source: Cape May Historic District, Wikipedia.Buying in the Historic District? Exterior changes there go through the city's historic review. I check what a home's designation means for your plans before you offer.
Ask About Historic HomesPhotography is royalty-free from Pexels and is representative of Cape May scenes, not the historic events themselves.
The Washington Street Mall is the heart. Most restaurants sit within a few blocks of it or along the harbor, with farm stands and wineries in West Cape May and North Cape May, and the big-box stores in Rio Grande.
Seafood, waterfront
A Fisherman's Wharf landmark that grew from 60 seats in 1953 to about 650, open for lunch and dinner year-round. No reservations.
906 Schellengers Landing Rd, Cape May, NJ 08204
Visit Website for The Lobster HouseAmerican and seafood · $$$$
The special-occasion dinner in a historic house on Washington Street, with reservations taken in season.
801 Washington St, Cape May, NJ 08204
Visit Website for Washington InnAmerican, family owned
A family-owned spot at the Carroll Villa Hotel since 1976, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with live music most nights.
19 Jackson St, Cape May, NJ 08204
Visit Website for The Mad BatterMediterranean and seafood · $$$
A small Jackson Street dining room serving seasonal, local plates, dinner nightly in season.
104 Jackson St, Cape May, NJ 08204
Visit Website for Louisa's CafeSeafood and American, casual
The North Cape May bayfront spot, once Harpoon Henry's, with a tiki bar and patio built for sunset. No reservations.
91 Beach Dr, North Cape May, NJ 08204
Visit Website for Harpoons on the BayAmerican, scratch kitchen
A casual scratch kitchen on Route 109 with a long craft beer list, open for lunch and dinner daily.
1200 Route 109 South, Cape May, NJ 08204
Visit Website for Lucky Bones Backwater GrillePedestrian mall
Three car-free blocks from Ocean Street to Perry Street with more than 90 independently owned shops, open since 1971.
Washington St, Ocean St to Perry St, Cape May, NJ 08204
Visit Website for Washington Street MallSupermarket and pharmacy
The in-town grocery store, open 7 AM to 9 PM daily with a pharmacy. A second ACME serves North Cape May.
315 Ocean St, Cape May, NJ 08204
Visit Website for ACME MarketsFarm market and kitchen
A 62-acre working farm in West Cape May with a seasonal market and a breakfast and lunch kitchen.
140 Stevens St, West Cape May, NJ 08204
Visit Website for Beach Plum FarmWinery and tasting room
Vines first planted in 1992 on about 25 acres in North Cape May, with a tasting room open to the public.
711 Town Bank Rd, North Cape May, NJ 08204
Visit Website for Cape May Winery & VineyardBrewery tasting room
The county's best-known brewery, with a tasting room at Cape May Airport open daily.
1250 Hornet Rd, Rio Grande, NJ 08242
Visit Website for Cape May Brewing Co.Summer farmers market
Local growers and makers on Tuesday afternoons in summer at Backyard Park. The 2026 season ran June 23 to August 25.
732 Broadway, West Cape May, NJ 08204
Visit Website for West Cape May Farmers' MarketA sampling of well-regarded local spots, not an exclusive list or paid placement. Confirm hours before you go.
Taxes here have three layers: Cape May County, your municipality and your schools, all on one bill. Rates differ a lot between the city, West Cape May, Cape May Point and Lower Township, so the same price can mean a different bill across a street.
New Jersey bills per $100 of assessed value. Cape May City's 2025 general rate was 1.093, or 0.587% effective, and its 2026 rate is 1.118. West Cape May ran 0.690% effective, Cape May Point 0.416% and Lower Township 1.014%. The 2024 average residential bill was $7,188 in the city.
Sources: NJ 2025 tax rates; Cape May City tax rate; NJ average tax bills, accessed .ANCHOR pays homeowners $1,500 with income up to $150,000 and $1,000 up to $250,000, plus $250 for seniors. Senior Freeze and Stay NJ help owners 65 and older; the 2026 state budget reduced Stay NJ. Seniors file one PAS-1 form by November 2, 2026.
Sources: NJ Division of Taxation; New Jersey Monitor, accessed .Property taxes are due February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1. Call the Cape May City tax collector at 609-884-9541. When you sell, you pay the realty transfer fee, and since July 10, 2025 the seller also pays a graduated fee from 1% to 3.5% on sales over $1 million.
Sources: Cape May City tax collector; NJ Realtors, accessed .Atlantic City Electric supplies power; call 1-800-642-3780 to start service. South Jersey Gas serves natural gas at 1-888-766-9900. Some older homes use oil or propane, so I check before you offer.
Sources: NJ Board of Public Utilities; South Jersey Gas, accessed .The Cape May Water and Sewer Utility, 609-884-9538, serves the city, West Cape May and Cape May Point from a desalination plant built in 1998 and now being replaced. Much of Lower Township uses the Lower Township MUA at 609-886-7146.
Sources: Cape May Water and Sewer; Lower Township MUA, accessed .Cape May City does not collect household trash, so owners hire a private hauler. Recycling is picked up curbside weekly in a single stream. Call Public Works at 609-884-9570, and the Cape May County MUA at 609-465-9026 for drop-off rules.
Sources: Cape May City recycling; Cape May County MUA, accessed .Here is what sellers and first-time buyers say about working with The O'Hara Home Team, the team I lead with Jacqueline and Olivia. Each review is shared word for word.
Eleanor K.
I LOVE the O'Hara Home Team. I recently sold my house in Philadelphia with them and had such a great experience. Olivia was extremely responsive and helpful throughout the process and always had my best interest in mind. I feel like I can fully trust this team with anything. Their calendar for sale was top notch and outlined every item I needed to cover. They made the selling process streamlined and simple while also making sure I was kept in the loop on all decisions. House was off the market within a week!! I cannot say enough good things, such a great team to work with!
Erin C.
I cannot say enough good things about working with Colleen and Jacqueline from the O'Hara home team! Not only are they incredibly friendly and easy to work with, they are accessible to answer questions or talk things through any time which was a huge relief. In this crazy market where it is a challenge to be a buyer, this team made us feel informed, prepared, and ready to go when the time was right! Their experience, knowledge and support was the only reason we pursued buying a home now for the first time in over 20 years! I have recommended them to friends and family- you won't be disappointed!
Frankie P.
From the very start the O'Hara home team felt apart of our team. Jaqueline helped us find our perfect home and walked with us throughout the whole process. She was quick with bringing showings together, helped us navigate the pros/cons and always had a resource for the many questions we had as first time home buyers. I will always recommend someone who is willing to go in the trenches with you and understands how stressful, and unfair this market can be. Jacq, Colleen and Olivia helped us find our dream home. Their skill, professionalism and patience is unmatched.
Reviews are reproduced word for word from client feedback for The O'Hara Home Team, shown with first name and last initial. Collected .
Architecture
The 08204 housing stock runs from Victorian cottages and inns to raised new builds, bayside ranches and condos along Route 9. Price follows distance to the beach and flood elevation as much as square footage.
Photography is royalty-free from Pexels and shows Cape May and East Coast homes in the styles you will tour, not specific listings. Sale figures come from Redfin recent sales for September 2026.
These six areas show how wide the 08204 market runs. I check the municipality, flood zone, tax rate and rental rules for any address before you fall in love with it.
Median sale $1,344,110, 3 months to Aug 2026
The gingerbread streets between the Washington Street Mall and Beach Avenue, rebuilt after the 1878 fire. Exterior changes go through the city's historic review.
View homes in Historic DistrictAsk me for current comps
Larger homes and hotels face the ocean along the nearly 2-mile Promenade, with Convention Hall at 714 Beach Avenue. Flood elevation drives value here.
View homes in Beach AvenueMedian sale about $1.3M, 3 months to Aug 2026
A one-square-mile borough next to the city with Beach Plum Farm, Willow Creek Winery and the Lima Bean Festival each October.
View homes in West Cape MayMedian sale about $2.1M, 3 months to Aug 2026
Shingled cottages around Lake Lily, the state park and the Cape May Bird Observatory. Sales are few, so each one moves the median.
View homes in Cape May PointMedian sale $499,669, 3 months to Aug 2026
Ranches and capes near the ferry terminal, Harpoons on the Bay and the Cape May Winery, at well under half the city median.
View homes in North Cape MayAsk me for current comps
A small beachfront strip between Cape May and Wildwood Crest with townhouses and the Seapointe Village resort community.
View homes in Diamond BeachPrice notes reflect Redfin medians for the three months ending August 2026, seen in October 2026, from the Cape May, West Cape May, Cape May Point and North Cape May pages. They describe recent activity, not the full range of every community.
Buying or selling at the shore is one of the largest financial moves most people make. You deserve someone who digs deeper, protects your interests and tells you the truth, even when it is not what you hoped to hear.
My clients describe the process as calm and organized. That comes from preparation: knowing the comparable sales, the flood zone and the tax bill before we ever write an offer or set a price.
Start The Conversation
You will always know where things stand. I explain each step before it happens and put the important numbers in writing.
Promise · 01
Call or text me from 8 AM to 8 PM and you reach me, not a call center. I live here year-round, so I can see a home the same day.
Promise · 02
I negotiate as if it were my own money, from the offer to the inspection credits. Work harder, dig deeper, protect the client.
Promise · 03
Four steps, one point of contact. Whether you are buying a bayside ranch or selling a Victorian near the beach, the process stays the same and so does the communication.
Call, text or use the form. I learn your timeline, budget and must-haves in a short first conversation.
Buyers get a search plan, a lender introduction and a flood insurance check. Sellers get a written price range and marketing plan.
I tour with you, in person or by video, and review every home in writing. Or I launch your listing with photos, pricing and showings lined up.
I manage inspections, appraisal and the title company so closing day holds no surprises. Then I hand you the keys.
There is no single best agent for everyone in Cape May, and I would be wary of anyone who claims the title. Judge agents on recent sales in the city, West Cape May and Lower Township, how they price from closed comparables, how fast they answer and what verified reviews say. Interview two or three. I am happy to share my recent sales and how I would price your home.
It depends on the municipality. Cape May City Elementary (PreK to 6) serves the city and Cape May Point, West Cape May Elementary serves the borough, and Lower Township runs four elementary schools. All of them send grades 7 to 12 to Lower Cape May Regional, which includes Teitelman Middle School and the high school on Route 9. I confirm assignment before you offer.
New Jersey taxes homes per $100 of assessed value. Multiply the assessment by the general rate and divide by 100. Cape May City's general rate was 1.093 in 2025 and is 1.118 in 2026, an effective rate near 0.59%. Lower Township ran about 1.01% effective in 2025. Bills are due quarterly on February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1.
Since August 2024, buyers sign a written agreement with their agent before touring homes listed in the MLS. That agreement states what the agent is paid and who pays it. Every fee is negotiable, and a seller may offer to cover some or all of it. I walk you through the agreement line by line before we start.
If the home sits in a FEMA high-risk flood zone and you use a federally backed mortgage, your lender will require flood insurance. Even outside those zones, I recommend a quote. First Street data via Redfin rate about 97% of Cape May city properties at severe flood risk over 30 years. I request the elevation certificate and a quote early, so the payment is real.
Often yes, but check first. Cape May City requires a short-term rental license that is renewed each year, and rules on taxes and stays are set by city ordinance. West Cape May and Lower Township have their own rules. Before you offer, I pull the current ordinance, the home's rental history and any condo association limits.
Yes. Many of my clients buy from the Philadelphia suburbs or farther away using live video tours, same-day inspection reports and electronic signatures. Many title companies can arrange a remote or mail-away closing. We plan one visit if you can manage it, but it is not required. I live in Cape May year-round, so I can walk a home for you the same day.
Price from the closest recent sales, not the city median. In August 2026, Cape May homes sold at a median 96.5% of list and took 42 days, so overpricing costs time. I compare your home with nearby closings, adjust for size, condition and elevation, then plan repairs, staging and photos before it goes live.
Center City Philadelphia is about 85 miles from Cape May, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours by car off peak via the Garden State Parkway and the Atlantic City Expressway. Summer weekends can add a lot. NJ Transit routes 313 and 315 run year-round between Cape May and Philadelphia from the Welcome Center at 609 Lafayette Street.
Climb the 1859 Cape May Lighthouse, 199 steps on the spiral stair, and walk three color-coded trails through 244 acres of dunes, ponds and woods. You can see the World War II bunker known as Battery 223 and watch the fall bird migration. The park gate is open 8 AM to 8 PM; check before you go.
ACME at 315 Ocean Street is open 7 AM to 9 PM with a pharmacy, and a second ACME sits at 3845 Bayshore Road in North Cape May. For bigger trips, ShopRite is at 1700 Route 47 South and Walmart is at 3159 Route 9 South, both in Rio Grande. In summer, Beach Plum Farm in West Cape May sells local produce.
Higbee Beach covers 1,159 acres of bay beach, dunes and fields, with part closed through December 2026 for restoration. Cape May Point State Park has three trails, and the Promenade runs nearly 2 miles along Beach Avenue. The free Cape May County Park and Zoo in Cape May Court House is about 15 minutes north.
The Mad Batter at 19 Jackson Street has served breakfast, lunch and dinner since 1976, and Louisa's Cafe at 104 Jackson Street serves seasonal dinners. Washington Inn at 801 Washington Street is a few blocks away for special occasions. Confirm hours before you go, since many places change schedules off season.
Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) is about 45 miles north, typically 45 to 55 minutes by car off peak via the Garden State Parkway. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is about 86 miles away, roughly 1 hour 40 to 50 minutes. Allow extra time on summer Fridays and Sundays, when Parkway traffic builds.
Yes. The Cape May City branch of the Cape May County Library now sits at 720 Franklin Street in the restored Franklin Street School, phone 609-884-9568. Your county library card works at branches across the county. Some county pages still list the old Ocean Street address, so check the library's site for current hours.
Tell me what you are looking for, or what you want to sell. I reply the same day, and the free buyer guide downloads as soon as you send the form.
41 pages on prices, schools, taxes, flood risk, neighborhoods and the buying process in 08204, updated for 2026.
Thank you. I will be in touch shortly. Need me sooner? Call or text 609-224-7380.
