Living in Monroe County, PA: Towns, Roads and Homes
In short: Monroe County is in the middle of the Pocono Mountains, in northeastern Pennsylvania: lakes, state parks, ski resorts and quiet roads, with homes that cost less than in the New York and New Jersey suburbs. It is a county of homeowners, where about 4 in 5 homes are lived in by their owners, and for years people have moved here from the New York area to get more space without going far. I-80 brings you in from New Jersey at the Delaware Water Gap, and the county seat is Stroudsburg.
Where Monroe County is
Boroughs (4): Delaware Water Gap (1), East Stroudsburg (2), Mount Pocono (3), Stroudsburg (4).
Townships (16): Barrett, Chestnuthill, Coolbaugh, Eldred, Hamilton, Jackson, Middle Smithfield, Paradise, Pocono, Polk, Price, Ross, Smithfield, Stroud, Tobyhanna, Tunkhannock.
Monroe County is in northeastern Pennsylvania, on the Delaware River across from New Jersey. Most people get here by car, so the roads tell you where everything is:
- I-80 is the main road. It comes from New Jersey over the Delaware Water Gap Toll Bridge, enters Pennsylvania in the borough of Delaware Water Gap, and crosses the county through Stroudsburg and Tannersville.
- I-380 splits from I-80 west of Tannersville and goes north to Scranton.
- Route 33 starts at I-80 just west of Stroudsburg and runs south past Saylorsburg to the Lehigh Valley and I-78.
- US 209 connects Brodheadsville and the West End with Stroudsburg, then heads north through Marshalls Creek along the Delaware River.
- Route 611 is the old main road from Delaware Water Gap through Stroudsburg and Tannersville to Mount Pocono. Route 940 goes west from Mount Pocono through Pocono Summit and Pocono Pines.
From Stroudsburg, New York City is about 1.5 to 2 hours by car, Allentown about 50 minutes and Philadelphia about 2 hours. Commuter buses to New York City run from the Stroudsburg area.
Towns Ryth serves in Monroe County
These towns have their own guides:
- Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg, two boroughs side by side. Stroudsburg is the county seat, with a walkable Main Street. East Stroudsburg is home to East Stroudsburg University, with outdoor activities close by.
- Tannersville, in Pocono Township, home of Camelback Resort and The Crossings Premium Outlets, right off I-80.
- Pocono Pines, in Tobyhanna Township, an upscale lake community with luxury homes around Lake Naomi and the private Lake Naomi Club.
More communities Ryth works in
Most towns here are villages with a post office, not separate governments. The township around them sets the taxes and the rules, so it is listed with each one.
- Saylorsburg, in Hamilton and Ross townships: homes and businesses, quiet streets and privacy, close to Brodheadsville and Stroudsburg.
- Mount Pocono, its own borough, where Route 611 meets Route 940, near I-380.
- Bartonsville, in Pocono Township: a busy shopping area along Route 611 near I-80.
- Effort, in Chestnuthill Township, in the West End near Brodheadsville.
- Kunkletown, in Eldred Township, in the rural southwest of the county.
- Cresco and Canadensis, in Barrett Township, in the woods northeast of Mount Pocono.
- Henryville, in Paradise Township, between Tannersville and Cresco.
- Long Pond, in Tunkhannock Township, home of Pocono Raceway.
- Blakeslee, in Tobyhanna Township, where Route 115 meets Route 940.
- Tobyhanna, in Coolbaugh Township, near Tobyhanna State Park.
Nearby in Carbon County
Just west of the county line, in Carbon County:
- Lake Harmony, a lake village next to Split Rock Resort and the Big Boulder and Jack Frost ski areas, popular for vacation homes.
- Albrightsville, with lake communities in the woods along Route 903. Indian Mountain Lakes, near Albrightsville, reaches across the line into Monroe County.
Market numbers
$337,000Median sale price
2,317Homes sold in the last 12 months
55Average days on market
Single-family homes, townhouses and condos sold in Monroe County, October 2025 to September 2026. Source: Pocono Mountains Association of REALTORS® (PMAR) MLS, pulled October 2026.
Homes in Monroe County
- Historic homes in the boroughs of Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg
- Single-family homes on wooded lots in the townships
- Lake and resort communities with private amenities, most run by a property owners' association (POA)
- Vacation homes and cabins, some used as short-term rentals
- Luxury homes on large lots and acreage
- Land and building lots
Property taxes and school districts
In Pennsylvania, property taxes go to three bodies: the county, the municipality (the township or borough) and the school district. Each sets its own rate, so two similar homes a few miles apart can have very different tax bills.
Monroe County has four school districts: East Stroudsburg Area, Pleasant Valley, Pocono Mountain and Stroudsburg Area. Before you make an offer, Ryth gets you the actual tax bill for the home, not an estimate.
What to check before you buy
- The POA's rules, annual dues and any special assessments. Pennsylvania law requires the seller to give you a resale certificate for a home in a planned community.
- Water and sewer. Many homes here use a private well and a septic system, so a well test and a septic inspection are worth doing.
- Radon. It is common in Pennsylvania, and testing during the inspection period is standard.
- Short-term rental rules, if you plan to rent the home. Each township and community has its own, and some do not allow it at all. See Investing in a Pocono vacation rental.
- Flood zones near creeks and rivers, and whether flood insurance is required.
- Winter access: who plows private and community roads.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Monroe County, Pennsylvania
- Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission: Delaware Water Gap (I-80) toll bridge
- Redevelopment Authority of the County of Monroe: First-Time Homebuyer Program
What clients say
I have never met someone so willing to go the extra mile for his clients. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with Ryth — thanks to his dedication, guidance, and hard work, I was able to close on my dream home. Ryth is young, but he is extremely knowledgeable, responsive, and always willing to help.
For me it has been a great pleasure working with Ryth, a young man who showed great wisdom and helped us find the property we were looking for under the desired conditions. Thank you for everything — we are very happy with his work.
Questions
What is the median home price in Monroe County, PA?
The median sale price was $337,000 for single-family homes, townhouses and condos sold in Monroe County, from October 2025 to September 2026. In that time, 2,317 homes sold, and they spent an average of 55 days on the market. Source: Pocono Mountains Association of REALTORS® (PMAR) MLS, pulled October 2026.
How do you get to Monroe County from New Jersey?
Take I-80 west. It crosses the Delaware River on the Delaware Water Gap Toll Bridge and enters Pennsylvania in Monroe County, at the borough of Delaware Water Gap, a few minutes from Stroudsburg.
Is Monroe County the same as the Poconos?
Mostly. The Pocono Mountains region covers four counties (Monroe, Pike, Wayne and Carbon), and Monroe County is at its center.
Are most homes in Monroe County owner-occupied?
Yes. About 79.5% of occupied homes in Monroe County are lived in by their owners, according to the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2019 to 2023).
Is there help for first-time buyers in Monroe County?
Yes. The county's First-Time Homebuyer Program offers up to $20,000, plus $5,000 for buyers who have lived in the county for the past 12 months, as a 0% loan forgiven over 10 years. See the Monroe County First-Time Homebuyer Program guide.
Can I buy a home in Monroe County working in Spanish?
Yes. Ryth works in English and Spanish, so every call, showing and step of the process can happen in Spanish. Contracts in Pennsylvania are written in English, and Ryth explains each one in Spanish before you sign.
Questions about your move?
Ryth answers in English or Spanish — call or text 929.345.6838, or send a message.
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