What it's like to live in West New York
West New York is a smaller city in New Jersey with schools with smaller class sizes than the national average and public transit that many commuters actually use. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. West New York deals with rent well above the national average, home prices well above the national average, commute times longer than most cities, and a poverty rate above the national average.
The good
- Low student-teacher ratio
- Public transit that many commuters use
The not so good
- Rent well above the national average
- High home prices
- Above-average commute times
- High poverty rate
- High rent burden for renters
How West New York compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to West New York
Based on West New York's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$3,432
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $68,640 a year
- 53% of West New York renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$93,120
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $46,560
- Homes cost 6.5× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▲ 21% above US
$1,716/mo median rent
Rent runs on the higher side, at $1,716 a month median. Whether that premium makes sense usually comes down to the local job market and what it pays. Home prices run above average, with a median around $465,600. Buyers should expect to stretch their budget here.
Median home value $465,600 · 53% of renters cost-burdened
Job marketNear US average
4.7% unemployment
Unemployment here is 4.7%, close to the national average of 4.3%.
City-level (BLS)
Safety▼ 28% below US
236 violent crimes per 100k
Pretty safe, all things considered. Violent crime sits below the national average, nothing alarming, just ordinary city-life awareness.
Property crime 1254/100k · West New York Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▲ 33% above US
35 min average commute
Traffic is a real factor here. The 34.5 minute average means plenty of commuters are pushing 45 to 60 minutes on a bad day. Proximity to work matters more here than it might elsewhere. 4 in 10 workers drive to work; 37% take public transit; 14% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are warm, with highs around 83°F, and winters are cold, with lows around 30°F and snow a regular occurrence. Rainfall is regular throughout the year.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Education & workforceNear US average
34% bachelor's degree or higher
Education levels run about average, with 34% college-educated. It's a mix of white-collar and blue-collar work, which can be an asset or a limitation depending on the field.
Schools
9 public schools inside the boundary
There are 9 public schools inside the boundary. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14:1, well below the national average of 16:1. Smaller class sizes are generally a positive sign for a district.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is General Grant National Memorial (3 miles away). There are 8 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
West New York's strongest point is public transit that many commuters actually use; the main tradeoffs are rent well above the national average and home prices well above the national average. A year of median rent ($1,716/mo) equals 29% of the median household income here, more than the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit anyone prioritizing low crime and people who would rather not drive. It may be a harder fit for people who dread long commutes.
See all the data for West New York →·All New Jersey cities →
Other places near West New York
All New Jersey guides →Moving to Guttenberg →
1 mi away · pop. 11,754
Rent $1,677/mo · Income $75,683
Compare with West New York →Moving to Union City →
2 mi away · pop. 66,463
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Compare with West New York →Moving to Fairview →
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Rent $1,694/mo · Income $63,606
Compare with West New York →Moving to Cliffside Park →
3 mi away · pop. 25,781
Rent $1,837/mo · Income $93,452
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