Marlton is the better choice for buyers who want a more affordable, family-focused suburban community with lower property taxes and a quieter feel, while Cherry Hill is ideal for buyers who prioritize maximum shopping and dining variety, superior transit to Philadelphia, and diverse housing options across a larger community.
Both communities are excellent places to live, with strong schools, abundant amenities, and convenient access to Philadelphia. But they differ in cost, character, commute, and community feel. The right choice depends on your priorities, your budget, and the lifestyle you are looking for.
For more detail on Marlton, visit the Marlton Community Guide or read our Living in Marlton guide. For Cherry Hill, see the Cherry Hill Community Guide and our Living in Cherry Hill guide.
Which Town Has a Lower Cost of Living?
Marlton: Marlton is generally 10-15% less expensive than Cherry Hill for comparable homes. The median home price in Marlton falls in the $425,000 to $600,000 range, while townhomes and smaller homes start in the mid-$300,000s. Property taxes in Marlton (Evesham Township) are also lower, averaging $7,500 to $10,000 annually for a typical single-family home.
Cherry Hill: Cherry Hill has a wider range of housing options, from starter homes in the mid-$300,000s to luxury estates exceeding $1 million. The median home price is generally $475,000 to $700,000. Property taxes are higher, averaging $9,000 to $13,000 annually, reflecting Cherry Hill's larger municipal footprint and extensive amenities.
Verdict: Marlton offers better value for your dollar, with lower home prices and lower property taxes. If affordability is your top priority, Marlton has the edge.
Which Town Has Better Schools?
Marlton: Marlton is served by the Evesham Township School District for elementary and middle school, with students attending Cherokee High School through the Lenape Regional High School District. The schools are excellent and are a primary reason families choose Marlton. Cherokee High School is known for its strong academics, extensive AP courses, award-winning performing arts, and competitive athletics.
Cherry Hill: Cherry Hill has its own public school district serving approximately 11,000 students. Cherry Hill High Schools East and West are both highly regarded and offer a wide range of academic programs, extracurricular activities, and athletic opportunities. The Cherry Hill school system is larger and offers more program diversity than Marlton's.
Verdict: Both districts are excellent. Cherry Hill offers more program diversity due to its larger size, while Marlton's schools are consistently top-rated with a strong sense of community. You cannot go wrong with either choice.
Which Town Has a Better Commute?
Marlton: Marlton is located near Route 70 and Route 73, with easy access to the New Jersey Turnpike and I-295. The drive to Center City Philadelphia takes 25-35 minutes. PATCO rail service is available from the Woodcrest station in Cherry Hill and the Ashland station in Voorhees, each about 10 minutes from Marlton. The train ride to Philadelphia takes about 25 minutes.
Cherry Hill: Cherry Hill offers superior transit options. The town has its own PATCO stations (Woodcrest and Ashland) providing direct rail service to Center City Philadelphia in about 20-25 minutes. Multiple highway access points (I-295, Route 70, Route 38, Route 41) make Cherry Hill one of the most commuter-friendly communities in the region. The drive to Philadelphia takes 15-20 minutes.
Verdict: Cherry Hill has the edge for commuters, especially those who rely on PATCO rail service or need quick highway access. Marlton is still very commuter-friendly, just with a slightly longer drive.
Which Town Has Better Shopping and Dining?
Marlton: Marlton is a shopping and dining destination in its own right. The Marlton Crossing shopping center and the Promenade at Sagemore offer a wide range of retail stores and restaurants. Marlton is known for its excellent pizza and Italian cuisine, with many family-owned restaurants serving the community for decades. The dining scene is impressive for a community of Marlton's size.
Cherry Hill: Cherry Hill is the premier shopping destination in South Jersey. The Cherry Hill Mall is the largest shopping center in the region, featuring department stores, specialty shops, and a food court. The dining scene in Cherry Hill is unmatched in the area, with hundreds of restaurants spanning every cuisine imaginable, including an acclaimed Vietnamese and Asian dining corridor along Marlton Pike (Route 70).
Verdict: Cherry Hill wins for sheer variety and scale of shopping and dining. But Marlton holds its own and offers a more concentrated, walkable retail experience at the Promenade.
Which Town Has a Better Community Feel?
Marlton: Marlton has a classic suburban feel with a strong sense of community. It is a place where families put down roots, neighbors know each other, and the community supports its schools and local businesses. The pace of life is relaxed and family-focused. Marlton feels smaller and more intimate than Cherry Hill.
Cherry Hill: Cherry Hill has a larger, more diverse, and more dynamic feel. With a population of over 71,000, it offers more of everything: more people, more amenities, more activities, and more variety. Cherry Hill feels like a small city in its own right, with vibrant commercial corridors and a constant hum of activity.
Verdict: Marlton for a quieter, more intimate suburban experience. Cherry Hill for a more active, amenity-rich environment with more going on.
Which Town Has Better Housing Options?
Marlton: Marlton's housing stock is dominated by well-built mid-century homes including ranches, split-levels, and colonials, many updated over the years. There are also newer developments and townhome communities. Neighborhoods tend to be established with mature trees and a classic suburban feel.
Cherry Hill: Cherry Hill offers an incredibly diverse range of housing options. From historic homes in the Barclay and Woodcrest neighborhoods to mid-century ranches in Kingston Estates, modern townhomes in Springdale, and luxury estates in Hunt Tract. Cherry Hill has a neighborhood for every taste and budget.
Verdict: Cherry Hill offers more housing variety and neighborhood diversity. Marlton offers more consistency and predictability in its housing stock.
Which Town Is Right for You?
Choose Marlton if: You want a more affordable, family-focused suburban community with excellent schools, a strong sense of community, and a great dining scene. Marlton is ideal for growing families, first-time buyers, and move-up buyers who want more house for their money.
Choose Cherry Hill if: You want the largest variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment options, excellent transit connectivity, diverse housing choices, and a more dynamic, energetic community feel. Cherry Hill is ideal for commuters, empty nesters who want urban amenities in a suburban setting, and families who want maximum options.
Both communities are among the best in South Jersey. The right choice comes down to what matters most to you and your family. I would be happy to talk through your priorities and help you find the perfect fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Marlton or Cherry Hill more affordable?
Marlton is generally 10-15% less expensive than Cherry Hill for comparable homes. Property taxes are also lower in Marlton (Evesham Township), averaging $7,500-$10,000 compared to Cherry Hill's $9,000-$13,000 for a typical single-family home.
Which town has better schools, Marlton or Cherry Hill?
Both districts are excellent. Marlton feeds into Cherokee High School, known for strong academics and athletics. Cherry Hill has East and West high schools, both highly regarded with more program diversity due to larger enrollment. You cannot go wrong with either choice.
Which town has a better commute to Philadelphia?
Cherry Hill has the edge for commuters with its own PATCO rail stations and more highway access points. The drive to Philadelphia takes 15-20 minutes from Cherry Hill versus 25-35 minutes from Marlton. PATCO service from Cherry Hill stations is about 20-25 minutes to Center City.
Which community has better shopping and dining?
Cherry Hill has the larger and more diverse shopping and dining scene, anchored by the Cherry Hill Mall and hundreds of restaurants. Marlton holds its own with excellent dining, especially Italian and pizza, and convenient shopping at the Promenade and Marlton Crossing.
Is Marlton or Cherry Hill better for families?
Both are excellent for families. Marlton offers a quieter, more intimate suburban atmosphere with lower costs and a strong sense of community. Cherry Hill offers more amenities, activities, and program diversity for children, along with a more dynamic environment. The right choice depends on your family's priorities.
Which town has more housing options?
Cherry Hill offers greater housing diversity, with historic neighborhoods, mid-century ranches, modern townhomes, and luxury estates across a wide price range. Marlton's housing is more consistent, dominated by well-maintained mid-century ranches, split-levels, and colonials.
Bob Millaway
Redfin Senior Agent · AI Certified Agent™ · 636+ homes sold across Burlington and Camden Counties. I know both Marlton and Cherry Hill inside and out. Let me help you find the perfect community for your family.
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