Newark, New Jersey
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Newark, NJ.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Newark, NJ?
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 559.5).
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 · catalog avg 559.5
- Summer high
- 84°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Newark compares with a U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals) or a MapsToIt catalog average (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 2026-10-19 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $48,416Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year38% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 105ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year5% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $337,800City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year11% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,330City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg ($1,348)U.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 5.6%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-10-19 · July 20261.4 pts above U.S. rateU.S. 4.2% - Avg commute
- 35 min40% above catalog avgCatalog avg 25 min
- Walk Score
- 7567% above catalog avgCatalog avg 45
- Violent crime rate
- 619per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-10-19 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback) · older data (2019)11% above catalog avgCatalog avg 559.5 - Property crime rate
- 1641per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-10-19 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback) · older data (2019)45% below catalog avgCatalog avg 3005.3 - Summer high
- 84°FAs of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals3.0 pts below catalog avgCatalog avg 87°F
- Winter low
- 28°FAs of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals7.0 pts below catalog avgCatalog avg 35°F
- Annual rainfall
- 46.6 inAs of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals40% above catalog avgCatalog avg 33.2 in
- Sunny days
- 242As of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals10% below catalog avgCatalog avg 268
Population trend
Newark grew 14.5% from 277,175 in 2010 to 317,303 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Newark, NJ 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, NJ?
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, NJ?
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, NJ?
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, NJ 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 559.5 and 3005.3. Citywide rates hide large neighborhood differences.
- Violent 619 per 100k
- Property 1641 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Newark, NJ?
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 figures, 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 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Essex County, July 2026 — As of 2026-10-19 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019), city offenses per 100k — As of 2026-10-19 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00014734 NEWARK INTL AP) — As of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-10-19 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-10-19