Is North Arlington Safe, Pros and cons of living in North Arlington

North Arlington, New Jersey, offers a blend of suburban tranquility and convenient access to urban amenities, making it an attractive option for those seeking a well-rounded place to live. Nestled in Bergen County, this borough provides a community feel with proximity to major metropolitan areas, including New York City. Its appeal lies in its balance of affordability, essential services, and a generally safe environment.

The borough’s history is rooted in its colonial past, evolving from New Barbadoes Neck to its official formation in 1896. Named for its position atop the Arlington section of Kearny, it has grown into a diverse community that continues to attract residents looking for a peaceful yet connected lifestyle. This guide explores the various facets of life in North Arlington, from safety and cost of living to job opportunities and local amenities.

Is it Safe to Live in North Arlington?

North Arlington is considered a safe place to live, with crime rates significantly lower than both the national and state averages. The total crime rate stands at approximately 1,360 crimes per 100,000 people, which is about 40% lower than the national average (as reported by Harrington Moving & Storage). Furthermore, the violent crime rate is notably lower, at 83% below the national average, and the property crime rate is also considerably reduced (as reported by Harrington Moving & Storage).

The North Arlington Police Department is responsible for maintaining safety within the community, comprising 31 officers dedicated to law enforcement. While overall crime rates are low, it’s worth noting that NeighborhoodScout’s analysis indicates that North Arlington’s crime rate is higher than 65% of other cities and towns in New Jersey (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). However, this is contrasted by other sources that suggest North Arlington is safer than 50% of U.S. cities (as reported by AreaVibes).

Crime Statistics Overview

The chance of becoming a victim of any crime in North Arlington is approximately 1 in 75 (as reported by AreaVibes). Specifically, the chance of being a victim of violent crime is about 1 in 1,669, and the chance of being a victim of property crime is about 1 in 83 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). These figures suggest that while North Arlington is generally safe, residents should remain aware of their surroundings, as with any urban or suburban area.

The cost of crime per resident in North Arlington is estimated at $262 annually, which is lower than the national average (as reported by CrimeoMeter). This figure includes criminal justice system costs, direct costs to victims, and lost economic contributions from offenders. The total projected cost of crime in North Arlington for 2025 is estimated at over $4.6 million (as reported by CrimeoMeter).

Demographics and Population

North Arlington is home to a population of approximately 16,500 residents (as of 2024) (as reported by Data USA). The borough is relatively diverse, with about 30.1% of its residents born outside the United States (as of 2024) (as reported by Data USA). The majority of residents are White (Non-Hispanic), making up around 8,670 people, followed by Hispanic residents of various races (as reported by Data USA).

As of 2024, 88.5% of North Arlington residents are U.S. citizens, which is slightly lower than the national average (as reported by Data USA). The median age in North Arlington is around 40.1 years (as reported by North Arlington, New Jersey Population 2026), with a nearly even split between males and females in terms of population. The borough has a population density of about 6,237 residents per square mile (as reported by North Arlington, NJ Community Information).

Racial and Ethnic Composition

The racial makeup of North Arlington shows White residents constituting approximately 53% of the population, with Hispanic residents making up about 30% (as reported by North Arlington, NJ – Niche). Asian residents represent about 9%, and individuals identifying with two or more races account for approximately 4% (as reported by North Arlington, NJ – Niche). Other racial groups make up smaller percentages of the total population.

In terms of ethnicity, approximately 30.3% of the people in North Arlington identify as Hispanic (as reported by Data USA). The borough has seen a gradual increase in its population, with a 7% rise between 2010 and 2020 (as reported by North Arlington, New Jersey – Wikipedia).

Cost of Living

The cost of living in North Arlington, NJ, is higher than the national average, with an index of 119.3 for Bergen County, indicating it’s about 19.3% more expensive than the typical U.S. city (as reported by Harrington Moving & Storage). Overall, North Arlington’s cost of living is estimated to be 23% higher than the national average (as reported by Salary.com).

Housing expenses are a significant factor, being 92% higher than the national average (as reported by PayScale). Utility prices are also slightly above the national average, by about 4% (as reported by PayScale). Transportation costs, including gas prices, are also 4% higher than the national average (as reported by PayScale).

Housing Costs

The median home price in North Arlington was approximately $650,000 in March 2026 (as reported by Redfin). The median sale price per square foot is around $390, showing an increase of 19.8% from the previous year (as reported by Redfin). For those considering renting, the average rent for an apartment in North Arlington is about $2,051 per month (as reported by RentCafe).

A one-bedroom apartment typically rents for around $1,865 per month, while a two-bedroom unit averages $2,219 per month (as reported by Apartments.com). For renters, 54% of homes in North Arlington are rented out, with the majority being in small-scale buildings (as reported by Harrington Moving & Storage).

Other Expenses

Grocery prices in North Arlington are approximately 7% higher than the national average (as reported by PayScale). Healthcare costs are also elevated, being 11% higher than the national average (as reported by PayScale). Monthly energy bills average around $215.28 (as reported by Harrington Moving & Storage).

A typical family of four in North Arlington needs to earn an estimated $131,215 annually to comfortably afford the cost of living (as reported by Harrington Moving & Storage). This figure reflects the combined expenses for housing, food, transportation, and other necessities in the area.

Job Market and Economy

The job market in North Arlington reflects a diverse economy with key industries supporting its residents. The most common employment sectors for those living in North Arlington include educational services, health care and social assistance, and retail trade (as reported by Data USA). These sectors provide a substantial number of job opportunities within the borough and surrounding areas.

The average annual salary in North Arlington is approximately $52,305, which breaks down to about $25.15 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter). Most salaries fall within the range of $37,175 to $63,550 annually, depending on occupation and experience (as reported by ZipRecruiter).

Major Employers

While specific major employers headquartered directly within North Arlington are not detailed in the provided search results, the broader region and nearby areas boast significant companies. Large corporations like FedEx, Dollar General, CVS Health, Amazon Warehouse, Walgreens, YMCA, Subway, Bank of America, and Optum have a presence in the vicinity, offering various employment opportunities (as reported by Indeed.com). The healthcare sector is also a significant employer, with systems like RWJBarnabas Health offering numerous positions (as reported by RWJBarnabas Health: Nursing, CNA, and Medical Assistant Jobs).

Industries such as education, healthcare, retail, and professional services are prominent. For instance, educational services employ a significant number of residents, as do health care and social assistance roles (as reported by Data USA). The presence of these industries indicates a stable and diverse job market for those residing in or commuting to North Arlington.

Unemployment Rate

As of February 2026, the unemployment rate in New Jersey was 5.1%, which is higher than the U.S. overall rate at that time (as reported by USAFacts). Bergen County, where North Arlington is located, reported the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 3.9% in January 2026 (as reported by USAFacts). This suggests that while the state’s unemployment rate may be higher, the immediate county offers more favorable job market conditions.

Previously, in September, New Jersey’s unemployment rate stood at 5.2%, ranking it among the highest in the nation (as reported by NJBIA). This indicates some fluctuation in the state’s job market over recent months, though Bergen County’s lower rate provides a more localized perspective for North Arlington residents.

Climate and Weather

North Arlington experiences a climate characterized by warm, humid summers and very cold, snowy winters. The temperature typically ranges from 26°F to 86°F throughout the year, rarely dropping below 12°F or exceeding 93°F (as reported by North Arlington Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (New Jersey, United States)). The borough has an average annual temperature with highs in the mid-80s Fahrenheit during July and lows in the mid-20s Fahrenheit during January (as reported by North Arlington Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (New Jersey, United States)).

The average annual rainfall in North Arlington is about 48 inches (as reported by North Arlington borough, NJ – Livability.com). July is typically the wettest month, with an average of 10.7 days experiencing precipitation (as reported by North Arlington Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (New Jersey, United States)). Snowfall averages around 25 inches annually (as reported by North Arlington borough, NJ – Livability.com).

Seasonal Temperatures

The hot season in North Arlington lasts approximately 3.5 months, from late May to mid-September, with daily high temperatures often exceeding 76°F (as reported by North Arlington Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (New Jersey, United States)). July is the hottest month, with average highs around 85°F and lows of 69°F (as reported by North Arlington Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (New Jersey, United States)).

Conversely, the cold season spans about 3.3 months, from early December to mid-March, with average daily high temperatures remaining below 48°F (as reported by North Arlington Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (New Jersey, United States)). January is the coldest month, with average lows around 27°F and highs of 39°F (as reported by North Arlington Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (New Jersey, United States)).

Education and Schools

North Arlington School District serves the borough’s students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The district is considered above average, with a student-teacher ratio of approximately 14 to 1 (as reported by North Arlington, NJ – Niche). State test scores indicate that about 39% of students are proficient in math and 60% are proficient in reading (as reported by North Arlington, NJ – Niche).

North Arlington High School has a four-year graduation rate of 91.3%, which is higher than the state average (as reported by North Arlington High School – Homes.com). The school also shows strong performance in English Language Arts, with 88.7% of 11th graders proficient, compared to the statewide average of 80.7% (as reported by North Arlington High School – Homes.com).

School Performance

North Arlington High School is rated B on Niche and has a student-teacher ratio of 13:1 (as reported by North Arlington High School – Homes.com). The school’s average SAT score is 1140 (as reported by North Arlington High School – Homes.com). While the high school performs well, Veterans Middle School ranks in the bottom half of New Jersey middle schools (as reported by North Arlington School District – New Jersey – Niche).

Among elementary schools, Thomas Jefferson Elementary and Susan B. Anthony Elementary are noted for their high proficiency rates and low chronic absenteeism (as reported by North Arlington School District – New Jersey – Niche). Overall, the North Arlington School District ranks #141 out of 243 in New Jersey for its overall quality (as reported by North Arlington School District – New Jersey – Niche).

Pros and Cons of Living in North Arlington

Living in North Arlington offers several advantages, including a relatively low crime rate compared to national averages and convenient access to New York City. The borough provides a small-town feel with essential amenities and a diverse community, making it appealing for families and young professionals alike. Its proximity to major transportation routes and recreational areas like Riverside County Park adds to its desirability.

However, the cost of living, particularly housing, is higher than the national average, which could be a deterrent for some. While schools are generally well-regarded, there are areas for improvement, such as the performance of the middle school. Additionally, while crime rates are low, they are still higher than many other New Jersey towns, according to some analyses.