Kearny's housing stock is typical of a dense Hudson County urban borough, dominated by single detached homes, duplexes, and small apartment buildings on compact lots. The town's industrial-era origins left a grid of older wood-frame and brick homes, many with classic front porches, alongside two- and three-family properties that suit owner-occupants and renters alike. A smaller share of larger apartment buildings and newer multi-family construction rounds out the mix. Housing here is relatively dense and walkable, with homes close to schools, parks, and neighborhood shopping, and the market's character reflects its role as a more affordable, transit-adjacent option within the New York metropolitan area.

Kearny's neighborhoods are compact and walkable, organized around the town's street grid rather than large master-planned developments. The Kearny Uplands, north of Bergen Avenue, is a hilly residential district that includes Kearny Riverbank Park along the Passaic River. The Arlington section, near the town's southern end and the border with North Arlington and Newark, has its own commercial strip and was historically its own community before becoming part of Kearny. The South Kearny industrial district along the rivers reflects the town's manufacturing past, while the central neighborhoods cluster around Kearny Avenue, the main commercial corridor, where shops, restaurants, and municipal buildings sit within walking distance of most homes.

Kearny is a dense, diverse Hudson County town with a strong working-class and immigrant character. Its Scottish and Irish heritage is woven into daily life, from the Kearny Scots soccer tradition that earned the town its Soccertown USA nickname to institutions like the Scots American Club, which has anchored the community since the mid-20th century. The town offers a rich array of restaurants, bakeries, and small shops reflecting its multicultural population, and Niche notes that many families and young professionals call it home. Residents prize the combination of urban-scale amenities, well-rated schools, and a close-knit, neighborly feel just outside Newark and Jersey City.

Kearny is served by the Kearny School District, which operates the town's public schools from elementary through high school. Dr. Ronald McNair High School has earned strong ratings on school review platforms and is a particular draw for families. The district's campuses sit close to residential neighborhoods, keeping most students within walking distance, and the town's density supports a full complement of extracurricular and athletic programs. Beyond the public system, the broader Hudson County and Newark area offers a wide range of private and parochial schools, including long-established institutions, giving families additional educational options within a short commute.

Kearny's transportation network makes it one of the more accessible Hudson County municipalities. Route 280, Route 21, and the New Jersey Turnpike run through or near the town, providing direct road connections to Newark, Jersey City, and New York City, while NJ Transit bus and rail service in the area links commuters to the broader region. Manhattan sits roughly 10 to 12 miles to the east, and the town's position between two rivers places it close to major crossings and freight corridors. Kearny's industrial South Kearny district also ties the town into the region's logistics network, though the town's residential core remains car- and transit-dependent for daily commuting.

Kearny's recreation centers on its riverside parks. Kearny Riverbank Park, a municipal linear park along the Passaic River in the Kearny Uplands, offers walking paths, river views, and recreation facilities, with an extension to Belleville Turnpike completed in 2011. Arlington Depot Park provides green space in the southern part of town, and the town's recreation department runs programs from facilities along Passaic Avenue, including the Hartung Center. The town's location near the Meadowlands and Hudson County's larger park systems adds options for sports fields, trails, and waterfront access. Kearny's dense, walkable layout also makes neighborhood parks and playgrounds an everyday part of community life.