Is Kearny Safe, Pros and cons of living in Kearny

Kearny, New Jersey, offers a blend of suburban tranquility and urban accessibility, situated in the heart of Hudson County. This location provides residents with convenient access to the major metropolitan areas of New York City and Newark, making it an attractive option for commuters and those seeking a well-connected lifestyle. The town’s industrial past has shaped its character, and it continues to evolve as a diverse and dynamic community.

The town’s strategic position along major transportation routes, including the New Jersey Turnpike and Newark Liberty International Airport, enhances its appeal. Kearny’s robust infrastructure supports its residential and commercial sectors, contributing to its ongoing development and desirability as a place to live and work. The community boasts a variety of housing options and a rich cultural tapestry, reflecting its diverse population.

Is it Safe to Live in Kearny?

Kearny’s overall crime rate is reported to be 1% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). The town experiences an average of 2.5 daily crimes, which includes approximately 0.13 violent incidents and 2.38 property-related offenses per day (as reported by AreaVibes). When comparing violent crimes specifically, Kearny has a rate that is 67.3% lower than the national average, with 121 reported per 100,000 people. However, property crimes in Kearny are 14% higher than the national average, with 2,228 reported per 100,000 residents (as reported by AreaVibes).

In 2020, Kearny reported a significant decrease in overall crime, with 518 reported crimes, a 27.5% drop from the previous year (as reported by Kearny, NJ Crime Rates and Statistics). This downward trend has been observed in recent years, with the 2020 numbers being less than half of those reported a decade prior. The town has also seen zero homicides for three consecutive years as of 2020 (as reported by Kearny, NJ Crime Rates and Statistics).

Despite these positive trends, some analyses indicate that Kearny’s crime rate is higher than 88% of New Jersey’s cities and towns of all sizes (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). When compared to communities of similar population size, Kearny’s combined violent and property crime rate is higher than average (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The chance of becoming a victim of any crime in Kearny is approximately 1 in 41 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Housing Market and Costs

The housing market in Kearny presents a median home value of approximately $584,040 as of March 2026, showing a 3.7% increase over the past year (as reported by Zillow). For those looking to rent, the median rent in Kearny is around $2,332 as of April 2026, which is a 5.11% increase from the previous year (as reported by RentCafe). The median gross rent in Kearny is $1,720 per month, with a median housing cost of $1,749 per month (as reported by Point2Homes).

The majority of residents in Kearny rent their homes, with 55% of households being renter-occupied compared to 45% owner-occupied (as reported by RentCafe). For renters, the median household income was $63,832 in 2022, resulting in a rent-to-income ratio of 32.3% (as reported by Point2Homes). Housing costs in Kearny are reported to be 73% higher than the national average (as reported by PayScale).

The most common housing type in Kearny consists of duplexes, homes converted to apartments, or other small apartment buildings, making up 42.35% of the town’s housing units (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). This housing mix is characteristic of towns that are compact and walkable, often with a lively downtown area (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Cost of Living

The overall cost of living in Kearny, New Jersey, is approximately 25% higher than the national average (as reported by PayScale). This figure is driven by several factors, including housing expenses, which are about 73% higher than the national average (as reported by PayScale). Utility prices are also slightly higher, at 4% above the national average (as reported by PayScale).

Transportation expenses, including bus fares and gas prices, are also 4% higher than the national average (as reported by PayScale). Grocery prices in Kearny are 7% higher than the national average (as reported by PayScale). Healthcare costs in Kearny are 11% higher than the national average (as reported by PayScale).

For singles, the estimated monthly cost of living in Kearny is around $2,998, while for a family of four, it is approximately $6,602 (as reported by Salary.com). These costs reflect Kearny’s position as one of the more expensive cities in the United States, with living costs being 21% higher than the U.S. national average (as reported by Salary.com).

Job Market and Economy

The economy of Kearny employs approximately 20,700 people, though employment has seen a slight decline of 1.73% from 2023 to 2024 (as reported by Data USA). The most common job sectors for Kearny residents include Retail Trade, Health Care & Social Assistance, and Transportation & Warehousing (as reported by Data USA). In terms of job roles, Office & Administrative Support Occupations, Management Occupations, and Sales & Related Occupations are the most prevalent (as reported by Data USA).

Major employers in Kearny include the Town of Kearny, St. George Logistics, and Pharmachem Laboratories (as reported by Zippia). Other significant employers noted are Walmart, McDonald’s, FedEx, and Target (as reported by Indeed.com). Historically, Western Electric’s Kearny Works was a major employer, at one point employing up to 24,000 people (as reported by Wikipedia).

The unemployment rate in Kearny was 5.6% as of February 2026 (as reported by Data Commons). The median household income in Kearny was $79,154 in 2024, a decrease of 4.9% from the previous year (as reported by Point2Homes). The average annual household income was $101,127 in 2024, showing a -1.6% change from the prior year (as reported by Point2Homes).

Climate and Weather

Kearny experiences a climate characterized by warm, humid summers and very cold, snowy winters, with the weather being partly cloudy year-round (as reported by Weather Spark). The hot season typically lasts from late May to mid-September, with average daily high temperatures exceeding 76°F. July is the hottest month, with average highs around 85°F and lows near 69°F (as reported by Weather Spark).

The cold season spans from early December to mid-March, with average daily high temperatures below 48°F. January is the coldest month, with average lows around 27°F and highs near 39°F (as reported by Weather Spark). The annual average temperature in Kearny is approximately 52°F (as reported by Jim Munley’s World of Weather).

Kearny receives an average annual rainfall of about 46.16 inches (as reported by Jim Munley’s World of Weather). The wetter season generally runs from April to August, with July having the most wet days, averaging about 10.6 days with at least 0.04 inches of precipitation. The drier season extends from late August to April, with January having the fewest wet days (as reported by Weather Spark).

Education and Schools

Kearny is served by the Kearny School District, which includes seven public schools catering to approximately 5,340 students (as reported by Public School Review). The district’s average testing ranking is 3 out of 10, placing it in the bottom 50% of public schools in New Jersey (as reported by Public School Review). The average math proficiency score is 22%, and the reading proficiency score is 39%, both below the New Jersey public school averages (as reported by Public School Review).

Among the schools in Kearny, Roosevelt Elementary School is noted for its strong performance, achieving high proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Mathematics, and the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). Schuyler Elementary School also performs well, ranking second among elementary schools (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). The Hudson Arts and Science Charter School also shows strong performance, outperforming district public schools in English Language Arts and Mathematics proficiency (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

However, the majority of schools within the Kearny district struggle to meet state averages in academic proficiency. Kearny High School also performs below the state average (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). The district faces challenges including high chronic absenteeism rates and significant socioeconomic factors, such as a high percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

Demographics and Diversity

Kearny is home to approximately 40,614 residents, with a median age of 40 (as reported by Point2Homes). The population is relatively balanced in terms of gender, with 52.9% male and 47.1% female (as reported by Point2Homes). The racial makeup of Kearny includes a significant Hispanic population, comprising 51.7% of residents (as reported by Data USA).

Other racial demographics include White (36.5%), African American (5.8%), and Asian (4.4%) (as reported by Point2Homes). Approximately 51.9% of the population are U.S.-born citizens, while 28.4% have naturalized citizenship, and 19.7% are non-citizens (as reported by Point2Homes). A notable 45% of Kearny residents were born outside the United States (as reported by Data USA).

The age distribution shows that 16.3% of residents are under 15, 11.8% are between 15 and 24, 30.4% are between 25 and 44, 28% are between 45 and 64, and 13.6% are 65 or older (as reported by Point2Homes). The town has a median household income of $79,154 (as reported by Point2Homes).