Is Budd Lake Safe, Pros and cons of living in Budd Lake
Budd Lake, a census-designated place within Mount Olive Township in Morris County, New Jersey, offers a blend of suburban comfort and natural beauty. It is known for its picturesque lake, providing residents with opportunities for recreation and scenic views. The community is part of a larger township, benefiting from its amenities while maintaining its own distinct character.
This area provides a lifestyle that appeals to families and individuals seeking a balance between a quieter, rural-suburban atmosphere and convenient access to major transportation routes. Its proximity to major highways like Route 46 and Interstate 80 facilitates commutes and access to surrounding areas, contributing to its appeal as a residential location.
Is it Safe to Live in Budd Lake?
Budd Lake is generally considered a safe community, with crime rates significantly lower than national averages. Overall crime rates are 37% lower than the national average, and violent crimes are 51% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). This safety contributes to the town’s appeal for residents.
The chance of becoming a victim of crime in Budd Lake is approximately 1 in 76, and the town is considered safer than 51% of cities in the United States (as reported by AreaVibes). Year-over-year crime in Budd Lake has decreased by 6% (as reported by AreaVibes). NeighborhoodScout data indicates a violent crime rate of 1 per 1,000 inhabitants, which is well below the national average.
Violent Crime Statistics
Violent crimes in Budd Lake are substantially lower than the national average. The violent crime rate is 51% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Budd Lake is one in 1,398, with a violent crime rate of 1 per 1,000 inhabitants (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).
CrimeGrade.org assigns Budd Lake an ‘A’ grade for violent crime, indicating a rate much lower than the average U.S. city. Budd Lake ranks in the 91st percentile for safety, meaning it is safer than 91% of cities (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). The violent crime rate is 1.483 per 1,000 residents in a typical year (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).
Property Crime Statistics
Property crime rates in Budd Lake are also lower than the national average. Property crimes are 34% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). The rate of property crime in Budd Lake is 7 per 1,000 residents, which is about average for all cities and towns in America of all population sizes (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).
While overall crime is low, specific concerns like property crimes such as burglaries and vehicle thefts have been reported, mainly in certain residential zones (as reported by DoorProfit). Occasional vandalism and mischief incidents also occur, particularly during warmer months (as reported by DoorProfit).
Pros and Cons of Living in Budd Lake
Budd Lake offers a desirable living environment with its natural beauty and community atmosphere, but like any location, it has its drawbacks. The cost of living and housing can be significant factors for potential residents to consider.
The town’s appeal lies in its suburban feel, access to nature, and good schools, making it attractive for families. However, the higher cost of living and the need for a car to access most amenities are important considerations for those thinking of moving to the area.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Budd Lake is notably higher than the national average. Budd Lake’s cost of living is 31% higher than the U.S. national average (as reported by Salary.com). This is driven primarily by soaring housing costs, elevated transportation expenses, and rising food prices.
The overall cost of living in Budd Lake is 14% higher than the national average (as reported by PayScale). Housing expenses are particularly high, being 46% higher than the national average (as reported by PayScale). Monthly expenses for a single person are estimated at $3,242, and for a family of four, they are $7,140 (as reported by Salary.com).
Housing Market
The housing market in Budd Lake is competitive, with a median listing price of $549.5K (as reported by Realtor.com® Research). The average home value in Budd Lake is $553,444, showing a 2.1% increase over the past year (as reported by Zillow). The median sale price of a home in Budd Lake was $705K in March 2026, up 6.2% compared to the previous year (as reported by Redfin).
Renters in Budd Lake face a median monthly rent of $3.3K (as reported by Realtor.com® Research). The average rent in Budd Lake, NJ, is $2,950, with a significant month-over-month increase of +$551 and a year-over-year increase of +$670 (as reported by Zillow Rentals). Apartments.com reports the average rent in May 2026 as $1,817 per month, which is 11% higher than the national average.
Job Market and Economy
The average salary in Budd Lake, New Jersey, is $76,618 per year, or $37 per hour (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). The median wage is $45.4K per year (as reported by ZipRecruiter).
Major employers in the area include FedEx, UPS, United States Postal Service, and Amazon.com (as reported by Indeed.com). The unemployment rate in New Jersey for January 2026 was 5.2 percent (as reported by NJ.gov). The average annual unemployment rate for New Jersey in 2025 was adjusted to 5.2 percent (as reported by NJ.gov).
Climate in Budd Lake
Budd Lake experiences a humid continental climate, characterized by distinct seasons. Summers are warm and wet, while winters are cold and snowy, with partly cloudy conditions prevalent throughout the year.
The temperature typically ranges from 18°F to 82°F over the course of the year, rarely dropping below 4°F or exceeding 89°F (as reported by Time and Date). The warm season lasts from late May to mid-September, with average daily high temperatures above 72°F. The hottest month is July, with average highs around 81°F.
Temperatures and Precipitation
The cold season spans from early December to early March, with average daily high temperatures below 44°F. January is the coldest month, with average lows around 20°F and highs of 35°F (as reported by Time and Date). Budd Lake receives a fair amount of precipitation throughout the year, including both rain and snow.
The wetter season occurs from late March to late August, with over a 29% chance of a wet day. July typically sees the most wet days, averaging 11.1 days with at least 0.04 inches of precipitation. The drier season lasts from late August to late March, with January having the fewest wet days, averaging 7.0 days (as reported by Time and Date).
Education in Budd Lake
Budd Lake is served by the Mount Olive School District, which generally receives positive ratings. The district is known for its commitment to providing a quality education to its students.
Chester M. Stephens School, a public elementary school in Budd Lake, has a student-teacher ratio of 10 to 1. According to state test scores, 51% of its students are proficient in math and 60% in reading (as reported by Niche). Sandshore School, another elementary school, has a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1, with 59% math proficiency and 56% reading proficiency (as reported by Niche).
School Ratings and Performance
Chester M. Stephens School has an overall Niche grade of A- and a rating of 4 out of 5 (as reported by Niche). It is ranked among the best public elementary schools in New Jersey. Mount Olive Middle School receives a B+ overall grade from Niche.
The Academy for Mathematics, Science & Engineering receives an A+ overall grade on Niche. Mount Olive High School has a rating of 3.75 out of 5 (as reported by Niche). The public schools in Budd Lake are highly rated, contributing to the area’s appeal for families (as reported by Niche).
Demographics of Budd Lake
Budd Lake has a population of approximately 10,650 residents (as reported by Point2Homes). The community is diverse, with a significant portion of its residents being White, followed by Hispanic, Black, and Asian populations.
The median age in Budd Lake is 37 years (as reported by Point2Homes). The population distribution shows about 23.2% are children under 15, and 11.1% are 65 or older. The gender distribution is nearly even, with 50.7% male and 49.3% female residents (as reported by Point2Homes).
Population Composition
As of 2024, 91.1% of Budd Lake residents are U.S. citizens, which is slightly lower than the national average (as reported by Data USA). Approximately 22.1% of residents were born outside the United States (as reported by Data USA). The racial makeup includes 63.1% Caucasian, 9.2% African American, and 7.4% Asian residents (as reported by Point2Homes).
The Hispanic population has grown significantly, increasing from 17.5% in 2020 to 21.2% in the latest data (as reported by Census Dots). The White population share has decreased slightly from 60.8% in 2020 to 58.0% (as reported by Census Dots).
Income and Household Data
The average annual household income in Budd Lake was $147,143 in 2024 (as reported by Point2Homes). The median household income stands at $114,154 (as reported by Data USA). Most households in Budd Lake have 3 members on average, with 82.1% being families (as reported by Point2Homes).
The poverty rate in Budd Lake is 4.63% (as reported by World Population Review). For renters, the median household income was $68,086 in 2022, with a rent-to-income ratio of 24.7% (as reported by Point2Homes).