Is Mount Arlington Safe, Pros and cons of living in Mount Arlington
Mount Arlington, New Jersey, offers a blend of suburban tranquility and convenient access to urban amenities, making it an appealing place to consider for a move. Nestled in Morris County, this borough provides a community-focused atmosphere with proximity to natural attractions and a commute to New York City.
The town boasts a growing and increasingly diverse population, with a balanced mix of families, young professionals, and seniors. Its strategic location, combined with its community-oriented amenities, contributes to its desirability for a wide range of residents.
Is it Safe to Live in Mount Arlington?
Mount Arlington is considered a very safe place to live, with crime rates significantly lower than both national and state averages. The borough’s overall crime rate is approximately 93% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). This distinction is largely due to extremely low rates of violent crime, which are reported as zero per 100,000 individuals (as reported by AreaVibes).
Property crime rates also remain exceptionally low, with a rate of about 148 per 100,000 residents, which is 91.6% lower than the U.S. average (as reported by AreaVibes). Your chance of being a victim of any crime in Mount Arlington is approximately 1 in 675 (as reported by AreaVibes). NeighborhoodScout further corroborates this, indicating that Mount Arlington has one of the lowest violent crime rates in the nation for its size, with a violent crime rate of 0 per 1,000 residents (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).
Cost of Living and Housing
The cost of living in Mount Arlington is generally higher than the national average, which is typical for its region in New Jersey. However, the housing market offers a range of options. The median home value in Mount Arlington was approximately $422,900 (as reported by Niche). This figure is notably higher than the national median home value of $332,700 (as reported by Niche).
Rental costs are also above the national average, with a median rent of $2,392 per month, compared to the national median of $1,413 (as reported by Niche). While homeownership is prevalent, with 75% of residents owning their homes, the real estate market is described as very competitive (as reported by Niche and Redfin).
Recent housing market trends show median sale prices for homes in Mount Arlington have been increasing. For instance, in March 2026, the median sale price was $525,000, an increase of 9.4% compared to the previous year (as reported by Redfin). Homes tend to sell quickly, with an average of 15 days on the market (as reported by Redfin).
Job Market and Economy
Mount Arlington’s economy is supported by a variety of sectors, with Professional, Scientific & Tech Services, Construction, Health Care & Social Assistance, and Retail Trade being the most prominent (as reported by the Borough of Mount Arlington Community & Market Profile). The borough is home to approximately 223 businesses that employ around 2,227 people (as reported by the Borough of Mount Arlington Community & Market Profile).
The average salary in Mount Arlington is around $86,000 per year (as reported by 6figr.com), with the median wage estimated at $48,700 per year (as reported by ZipRecruiter). Many residents commute to New York City, leveraging NJ Transit and Lakeland Bus Lines for transportation (as reported by the Borough of Mount Arlington Community & Market Profile).
Employment in Mount Arlington has seen growth, with a 2.17% increase in employed residents between 2023 and 2024 (as reported by Data USA). The most common occupations for residents include Office & Administrative Support, Sales & Related Occupations, and Management Occupations (as reported by Data USA).
Climate and Weather
Mount Arlington experiences a climate typical of the northeastern United States, characterized by four distinct seasons. Summers are generally warm and humid, while winters are cold with potential for snowfall. The average monthly rainfall varies throughout the year, with higher amounts typically seen in the summer months.
Based on weather reports from 1992–2021 for nearby New York City – Central Park, which is approximately 36 miles away, monthly precipitation averages range from about 3.37 inches in February to 4.83 inches in July (as reported by Time and Date). Temperatures in January average a high of 40°F and a low of 28°F, while July sees average highs around 87°F (as reported by Time and Date).
Short-term forecasts indicate typical spring weather, with daytime highs in the mid-60s to mid-70s and nighttime lows in the upper 40s to mid-50s. There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms on some days, which is common for this time of year (as reported by the National Weather Service).
Education and Schools
Mount Arlington is served by the Mount Arlington Public School District, which caters to students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The district has a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1 (as reported by Niche). State test scores indicate that 43% of students are proficient in math and 66% are proficient in reading (as reported by Niche).
The district as a whole receives an above-average rating, with Mt. Arlington Public School itself earning a B+ grade on Niche (as reported by Niche). For high school education, students typically attend schools within the Morris County Vocational School District or other regional high schools.
Niche ranks Mount Arlington among the top suburbs in New Jersey for public schools, placing it at #140 out of 414 (as reported by Niche). This reflects a strong overall educational environment for residents.
Demographics and Diversity
Mount Arlington has a population of approximately 5,935 residents (as reported by Niche). The borough is becoming more diverse, with the population increasing between 2010 and 2018 (as reported by the Borough of Mount Arlington Community & Market Profile). As of 2024, 15.1% of residents were born outside the United States (as reported by Data USA).
The racial composition includes a majority of White residents, with significant Black or African American and Hispanic populations also present (as reported by Data USA and World Population Review). The median age in Mount Arlington is around 48.1 years (as reported by World Population Review).
The community exhibits a balance across age groups, with the largest cohorts being those aged 45-54 and 65-74 (as reported by the Borough of Mount Arlington Community & Market Profile). A notable percentage of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, with figures around 35.9% reported in some analyses (as reported by the Borough of Mount Arlington Community & Market Profile).
Major Employers and Economic Landscape
The economic landscape of Mount Arlington is characterized by a mix of service-oriented businesses and specialized industries. Key employment sectors include Professional, Scientific & Tech Services, accounting for about 14.20% of jobs (as reported by the Borough of Mount Arlington Community & Market Profile). Health Care & Social Assistance and Retail Trade also represent significant portions of the local job market (as reported by the Borough of Mount Arlington Community & Market Profile).
While specific major employers within Mount Arlington are not extensively detailed in the provided data, the borough’s proximity to larger employment centers is a significant factor. Many residents commute to New York City, a major hub for finance, technology, and various professional services. The presence of businesses like Alion Science & Technology Corporation and Maser Consulting, P.A. within Mount Arlington indicates a focus on technical and engineering fields (as reported by the Borough of Mount Arlington Community & Market Profile).
The reported total annual revenue for businesses in Mount Arlington was approximately $316 million, with an average of 10 workers per business location (as reported by the Borough of Mount Arlington Community & Market Profile). This suggests a robust local business environment contributing to the area’s economy.