Kearny 59 Below average
Kearny Livability #489 ranked city in New Jersey#19,780 ranked city in the USARanks better than 32% of areas
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Kearny

PROS
  • Employment Employment

    This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.

  • Housing Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Local residents have positive feedback regarding the convenience of amenities, parks, public transit, the friendliness of neighbors, the strong sense of community, and the overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute Commute

    Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Residents of this area contend with a high cost of living, resulting in increased expenditures for everyday goods and services, housing, utilities and health care.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Factors like poor air quality and the absence of essential health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and pharmacies could have played a role in the low score in this category.

  • Schools Schools

    Factors such as lower than average graduation rates, lackluster reading and math scores and the limited accessibility of local elementary and high schools could contribute to the low schools score.

What's it like Living in Kearny?

Located in the state of New Jersey, Kearny is a mid-sized city with a population of 42,471 residents. Kearny has a population density of 4,802 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. More than a quarter of the residents of Kearny identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 44% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. Long, unnecessary commutes can be both frustrating and inconvenient when heading to work. Nationwide, the average one-way commute time takes 26 minutes, but regrettably, residing in Kearny entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 32 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in Kearny, New Jersey. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, cost of living, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Kearny and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Kearny to New Jersey and the national average.

The livability score in Kearny is 59/100 and the city is ranked in the 35th percentile of all cities across America. This is a poor rating when compared to the average of other places in the country. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Kearny has higher than average scores for the following: crime (B+), employment (A+) and housing (A-). Kearny does not score well for the following: amenities (F), cost of living (F) and education (D-). It might be wise to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Kearny market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Assuming that Kearny meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Kearny. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Kearny are simply unattainable. The median home price for Kearny homes is $638,473, which is 14.9% higher than the New Jersey average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Kearny, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 5.8, which is 13.7% higher than the New Jersey average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Kearny

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Kearny?

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Compare Kearny, NJ Livability

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      Kearny transportation information

      Statistic Kearny New Jersey National
      Average one way commute32min31min26min
      Workers who drive to work68.4%71.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.7%8.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit14.4%11.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk4.5%3.0%2.8%
      Working from home2.1%4.1%4.6%
      Source: The Kearny, NJ data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.