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Newark, New Jersey

Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Newark.

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How much does it cost to live in Newark?

For relocators asking how much Newark costs: the housing index sits at 105 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $337,800 and rents near $1,330. Local median income is about $48,416 and unemployment recently ran 5.6% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 35 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 619 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).

· Source vintages vary — see per-metric labels below · Methodology & sources

Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.

Housing cost index
105U.S. avg 100
Median home value
$337,800U.S. $303,400
Median rent
$1,330U.S. $1,348
Median income
$48,416U.S. $78,538
Unemployment
5.6%U.S. 4.2%
Avg commute
35 minCatalog avg 25 min
Violent crime
619per 100k · avg 586.6
Summer high
84°FCatalog avg 87°F
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Key figures

Each metric shows how Newark compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).

Population
317,303City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Median household income
$48,416Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
38% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538
Housing cost index
105ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
5% above U.S. avgU.S. 100
Median home value
$337,800City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
11% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400
Median rent
$1,330City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
Near U.S. avg ($1,348)U.S. $1,348
Unemployment
5.6%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts
Avg commute
35 min40% above U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
Walk Score
7567% above U.S. avgU.S. 45
Violent crime rate
619annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
6% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6
Property crime rate
1641annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
47% below U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9
Summer high
84°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals3.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
Winter low
28°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals6.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
Annual rainfall
46.6 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals41% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
Sunny days
242As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals10% below U.S. avgU.S. 268

Population trend

Newark grew 14.5% from 277,175 in 2010 to 317,303 in 2024.

Dec 2024317,303 people+14.5% vs 2010
201020172024

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.

Is Newark expensive compared to the U.S. average?

Newark's housing cost index is 105 versus 100 nationally — near the U.S. housing-cost baseline. That gap is driven mainly by ACS median home values ($337,800 vs $303,400) and rents ($1,330 vs $1,348).

  • Housing cost index 105 (U.S. 100)
  • Median home $337,800 vs U.S. $303,400
  • Median rent $1,330 vs U.S. $1,348

How much does housing cost in Newark?

Typical ownership costs center near $337,800, while median gross rent is about $1,330 a month. Against a median household income of $48,416, rent alone is roughly 33% of income on an annualized basis.

  • Median home value $337,800
  • Median rent $1,330/month
  • Median household income $48,416

What is the job market like in Newark?

County unemployment recently ran 5.6% versus a U.S. rate of 4.2%. Median household income in Newark is about $48,416 (U.S. $78,538).

  • Unemployment 5.6% (U.S. 4.2%)
  • Median income $48,416

How long is the typical commute in Newark?

Average one-way commute time is about 35 minutes, with Walk Score near 75/100. The catalog-city average commute is 25 minutes.

  • 35 minutes average one-way
  • Walk Score 75/100

Is Newark safer than similar U.S. cities?

Published violent-offense rates are about 619 per 100k and property about 1641 per 100k, versus catalog averages of 586.6 and 3087.9. Citywide rates hide large neighborhood differences.

  • Violent 619 per 100k
  • Property 1641 per 100k

What is the climate like year-round in Newark?

Normals show summer highs near 84°F, winter lows near 28°F, about 46.6 inches of rain, and roughly 242 sunny days a year.

  • Summer high 84°F
  • Winter low 28°F
  • 46.6 in rain · 242 sunny days

Newark, New Jersey counts about 317,303 residents inside the city limits. Households here report a median income near $48,416; our housing-derived cost index is about 105 (close to the national housing-cost baseline). A typical home near $337,800 and rents around $1,330 frame most shortlists.

Dense suburbs, port logistics, and quick Manhattan access define many towns. Pack for 84°F summer peaks; winter mornings often settle near 28°F. Commutes average near 35 minutes one-way, with walkability near 75/100. Unemployment near 5.6% is elevated versus many peer cities, so industry mix matters more in a move decision. Violent-offense rates near 619 per 100k sit in a mid-to-elevated band versus many peer cities in this catalog.

Newark is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Newark with nearby alternatives before you relocate.

Nearby & similar cities

Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.

Sources

  • Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Newark city, 1600000US3451000) As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
  • BLS: BLS LAUS · Essex County, July 2026 As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
  • Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
  • Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00014734 NEWARK INTL AP) As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
  • Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024

Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10

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