Cherry Hill vs. Medford vs. Moorestown:
How South Jersey’s Top Suburbs Really Compare
Summary
For buyers considering South Jersey, three towns come up again and again: Cherry Hill, Medford, and Moorestown. On paper, they can look similar — strong schools, suburban lifestyle, proximity to Philadelphia — yet in practice they feel very different and serve very different types of buyers.
Understanding the distinctions between these towns is critical, because buyers who choose the right South Jersey suburb for their lifestyle and long-term goals tend to be far happier — and financially better positioned — than buyers who choose based on reputation alone.
This guide breaks down how Cherry Hill, Medford, and Moorestown actually compare in terms of housing stock, schools, commute patterns, lifestyle, and value.
Table of Contents
Why These Three Towns Are Often Compared
Cherry Hill: Convenience, Scale, and Variety
Medford: Space, Nature, and Community Feel
Moorestown: Prestige, Schools, and Long-Term Stability
School Culture and Buyer Priorities
Housing Stock and Pricing Dynamics
Commute Patterns and Daily Logistics
Lifestyle and Community Identity
Which Town Is Right for Which Buyer
The Strategic Takeaway
1. Why These Three Towns Are Often Compared
Cherry Hill, Medford, and Moorestown sit at the top of many South Jersey buyers’ shortlists because they offer:
Strong public schools
Established suburban infrastructure
Reasonable access to Philadelphia
A track record of stable demand
However, these towns are not substitutes for one another. They appeal to different buyer profiles and reward different priorities. Treating them as interchangeable is one of the most common mistakes relocating and first-time South Jersey buyers make.
2. Cherry Hill: Convenience, Scale, and Variety
Cherry Hill is often considered the most accessible and flexible of the three.
What defines Cherry Hill:
Large, diverse housing stock
Multiple distinct neighborhoods
Extensive retail and dining options
Proximity to major highways and bridges
Cherry Hill offers everything from mid-century ranches to newer construction developments, making it attractive to a wide range of buyers.
Buyer profile:
Commuters into Philadelphia
Buyers prioritizing convenience and flexibility
First-time buyers moving into South Jersey
Families looking for strong schools without boutique pricing
Cherry Hill trades charm for convenience. It feels more like a well-developed suburb than a small town — a positive or negative depending on buyer preference.
3. Medford: Space, Nature, and Community Feel
Medford sits further east and feels distinctly different from Cherry Hill.
What defines Medford:
Larger lots and lower density
Strong connection to nature and open space
Historic village center
A tight-knit community feel
Medford appeals to buyers who want:
Privacy
Outdoor space
A slower pace of life
The town’s layout prioritizes residential living over commercial density, which creates a very different daily experience.
Buyer profile:
Families planning long-term stays
Buyers working remotely or with flexible commutes
Those prioritizing space over proximity
Buyers seeking a “small town” atmosphere
Medford rewards buyers who value lifestyle and land more than commute efficiency.
4. Moorestown: Prestige, Schools, and Long-Term Stability
Moorestown occupies a unique position in South Jersey.
What defines Moorestown:
A strong historic identity
Highly regarded schools
A classic town center
Consistent buyer demand across cycles
Moorestown is often compared to Main Line communities in Pennsylvania due to its combination of charm, school performance, and long-term value retention.
Buyer profile:
Buyers prioritizing schools above all else
Families planning to stay through school years
Relocators seeking prestige without crossing into PA
Buyers comfortable paying a premium for stability
Moorestown tends to have the highest entry pricing of the three — but also the most consistent long-term performance.
5. School Culture and Buyer Priorities
While all three towns are known for strong schools, buyer perception differs.
Moorestown is often viewed as the gold standard for public education in South Jersey, which drives consistent demand.
Cherry Hill offers strong schools but with more variation by neighborhood, creating both opportunity and complexity.
Medford appeals to families seeking strong academics paired with community involvement and space.
School-driven buyers should understand not just rankings, but also school culture, size, and feeder patterns.
6. Housing Stock and Pricing Dynamics
Each town offers a distinct housing profile:
Cherry Hill: Broad price range, easier entry points, more turnover
Medford: Larger homes and lots, fewer listings, slower but steadier market
Moorestown: Older, character-rich homes, higher price floor, limited inventory
Buyers focused on value per square foot often gravitate toward Cherry Hill or Medford. Buyers focused on long-term desirability and resale gravitate toward Moorestown.
7. Commute Patterns and Daily Logistics
Commute is one of the clearest differentiators.
Cherry Hill: Fastest and most flexible commute to Philadelphia via bridges and highways
Moorestown: Still commuter-friendly, with reasonable access but slightly longer drive times
Medford: Longer commutes, often better suited to remote or hybrid work
Daily logistics — school drop-offs, errands, dining — also vary significantly based on density and layout.
8. Lifestyle and Community Identity
Lifestyle often determines satisfaction more than price.
Cherry Hill feels active, convenient, and modern
Medford feels quiet, outdoorsy, and community-driven
Moorestown feels traditional, polished, and established
None is objectively better. Each simply answers a different question about how buyers want to live day to day.
9. Which Town Is Right for Which Buyer
Cherry Hill is best for buyers who:
Want flexibility and convenience
Prioritize commute efficiency
Are entering the South Jersey market
Medford is best for buyers who:
Value space and privacy
Plan to stay long-term
Don’t need daily access to Philadelphia
Moorestown is best for buyers who:
Prioritize schools and stability
Want a strong town identity
Are comfortable paying a premium for long-term confidence
10. The Strategic Takeaway
Choosing between Cherry Hill, Medford, and Moorestown is less about rankings and more about alignment.
Buyers who succeed in South Jersey:
Choose based on lifestyle first
Understand how schools affect pricing
Model commute realistically
Think ahead to resale demand
The best choice is the one that fits how you actually live — not how a town looks on paper.
Closing Thought
South Jersey offers exceptional value and quality of life, but only if buyers understand the differences between its top communities. Cherry Hill, Medford, and Moorestown each excel — just in different ways.
The smartest buyers don’t ask which town is “best.”
They ask which town is best for them.
By Eric Kelley, Philadelphia Suburbs Realtor & Attorney