Town guide · Monmouth County
Living in Lake Como, NJ
Lake Como covers about a quarter of a square mile between Belmar and Spring Lake. It is named for the lake on its edge, which has a walking path, and Main Street runs through the middle of town toward both neighbors.
- County
- Monmouth
- Population
- About 1,700 (2020 census)
- Size
- About a quarter of a square mile
- Setting
- Compact shore borough of in town streets beside a small lake
- Main roads
- Main Street through town; Route 35 in Belmar and Wall; the Parkway, Route 18 and Interstate 195 in Wall
Neighborhoods
Between Belmar and Spring Lake
Lake Como broke away from Wall Township in 1924 and was called South Belmar until voters changed the name in 2004. The railroad forms its western boundary, and it borders Belmar, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights and Wall.
- Around the lake: Homes along Lake Como itself, the lake that gave the borough its new name.
- Along Main Street: The borough's main road, home to Borough Hall, running north to Belmar and south to Spring Lake.
- The older streets: Some of the oldest homes in town still stand on 18th Avenue, Oak Terrace and New Bedford Road.
Homes
What you will find
- Shore homes on smaller lots: Single family homes on compact in town lots, a short drive from the beach.
- Lakefront homes: Homes facing Lake Como, the town's namesake.
- Rentals: Year round and seasonal rentals, which need a borough inspection through the code office.
Worth knowing: Lake Como requires a Certificate of Inspection for every property sale and rental in the borough, residential and commercial. Sellers should apply early so the inspection does not hold up the closing. The borough also has separate applications for yearly, seasonal and short term rentals, so check the rules before you buy a home you plan to rent. On homes near the lake, ask for the flood zone as well.
Property taxes
What taxes look like in Lake Como
- 1.109%2025 effective tax rate, as a share of market value
- $8,2542025 average residential tax bill
A home worth $750,000 on today's market would pay roughly $8,318 a year at Lake Como's 2025 effective rate. Your actual bill depends on your assessment, so we pull the real tax record for any home you are considering.
Source: New Jersey Division of Taxation, 2025 general and effective tax rates. Rates are set each year.
Groceries, dining and shopping
Where Lake Como shops and eats
Lake Como is a small beach town without a supermarket. Main Street has a few businesses, and the big grocery stores are a few minutes west on Route 35 in Wall.
Grocery stores
- WestShopRite1732 Route 35, Wall TownshipDirections
- SouthwestALDI1919 Route 35, Wall TownshipDirections
- NorthStop & Shop116 Route 35, Neptune CityDirections
- NorthALDI722 Route 35, Neptune TownshipDirections
Checked October 2026. Stores open, close and move, so call ahead before a first trip.
Restaurants
There are only a few places to eat in Lake Como, mostly along Main Street. For more choices, people walk or drive to the towns next door:
- Belmar: North on Main Street, where the town and boardwalk have shops and restaurants.
- Asbury Park: North on Route 71 to Cookman Avenue and the boardwalk, with restaurants, bars and coffee houses downtown and along the boardwalk.
- Downtown Manasquan: South on Route 71 to Main Street, a downtown with many small businesses.
Shopping
Route 35 in Wall, just west of town, is where most everyday shopping happens, with supermarkets and shopping centers along the highway.
Getting around
Roads and commuting
No major highways pass through Lake Como. Main Street is the main road, and Route 35 is close by in Belmar and Wall. The Garden State Parkway, Route 18, Route 34, Route 138 and Interstate 195 are all a short drive west in Wall Township. The railroad runs along the borough's western edge, and the nearest NJ Transit stations are in Belmar and Spring Lake on the North Jersey Coast Line. NJ Transit's 317 bus runs to Philadelphia and the 830 provides local service. Daily shopping is along Main Street and in the neighboring towns.
Places worth knowing
Parks, landmarks and open space
- Lake Como: The lake on the borough's edge, with a walking path, a butterfly garden and picnic tables. Its lakeshore park was dedicated in 1950 to local service members who died in military service.
- Belmar beach: The oceanfront in neighboring Belmar, just north of Lake Como.
- Spring Lake beach: The oceanfront in neighboring Spring Lake, just south of Lake Como.
Common questions
Questions people ask us about Lake Como
What are property taxes in Lake Como, NJ?
Lake Como Borough's 2025 effective tax rate is 1.109 percent of market value, and the average residential tax bill is $8,254, according to the New Jersey Division of Taxation. Actual bills depend on each home's assessment.
Is Lake Como the same town as South Belmar?
Yes. The borough was formed as South Belmar in 1924. Voters approved changing the name to Lake Como in 2004, and the new name took effect in January 2005.
Does Lake Como have its own beach?
No. Lake Como is an interior borough that does not front the ocean. The beaches in neighboring Belmar and Spring Lake are a short drive or walk away.
Do I need an inspection to sell a home in Lake Como?
Yes. Lake Como requires a Certificate of Inspection for all property sales and rentals in the borough. Apply through the borough's code enforcement office well before closing.
Is there a train station in Lake Como?
Not in the borough itself. The railroad forms Lake Como's western boundary, and the nearest NJ Transit stations are in Belmar and Spring Lake on the North Jersey Coast Line.
Where is the closest grocery store to Lake Como?
The closest supermarket is ShopRite at 1732 Route 35 in Wall Township, a few minutes west. ALDI is also on Route 35 in Wall. To the north, there is a Stop & Shop on Route 35 in Neptune City and an ALDI on Route 35 in Neptune Township.
Nearby towns
Towns that border Lake Como
Buying or selling in Lake Como?
Plan the inspection from day one
Every Lake Como sale needs a Certificate of Inspection, so we plan for it from the first conversation. Then we show you how nearby homes in Lake Como and the neighboring towns have sold.
Call or text either of us directly.