Skyline of Newark
Cost of Living: 118.5 311,549

Newark, NJ, US

Gateway to NYC with improving downtown, port industry, and more affordable than Manhattan.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 118.5

Above Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 128.4

Above Average

Median Income $37,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.5%

Job market health

Newark vs US Average

Cost of Living
Newark: 118.5
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Newark: 128.4
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Newark: 8.97%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 9.0%
  • Sales Tax: 6.6%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $37,000
  • Unemployment: 5.5%
  • Population: 311,549

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 205/year
  • Summer High: 86°F
  • Winter Low: 25°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: $320,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1500/mo

Cost of Living

Newark's cost of living index is 118.5 (US average = 100).

CategoryNewarkNational AverageDifference
Overall118.5100+18.5%
Housing128.4100+28.4%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$320,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1500/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,875/mo
Price per Sq Ft$213

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Newark:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$150Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$73Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$2Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$85Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$60Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilities$370Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Newark scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
118.5
Rent
$1500
Sunny Days
205
Tax
8.97%
Unemployment
5.5%
Climate
86°F / 25°F
Safety
12.6 homicides/100k
Population
311,549
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Newark has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January45°F25°F2.5"
April71°F40°F2.8"
July86°F61°F1.5"
October66°F43°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Newark faces the following natural hazards:

Flood High Risk

Coastal and river flooding.

Blizzard High Risk

Severe winter storms.

Hurricane Moderate Risk

Coastal areas affected by hurricanes.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Tornado risk.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 8.97%
  • Sales Tax: 6.625%
  • Property Tax: ~2.49% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 5.5%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Newark per 100,000 residents:

581.2
Violent Crime
1,957.3
Property Crime
12.6
Homicide

Data source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting

Schools & Education

44/100
School Quality Score
Better than 10% of US cities
?
85
Total Schools
13.8:1
Student:Teacher
90.3%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Universities & Higher Education

2
Universities
#59
Top University Rank
1
Top 500 Universities
Top-Ranked University Ohio State University

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Newark, NJ, US?

The cost of living index in Newark is 118.5, which is Higher the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Newark?

The median home price in Newark is $320,000. The housing index is 128.4.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Newark is approximately $1500/mo.

Does Newark, NJ have income tax?

Newark is in NJ, which has an income tax rate of 8.97%.

What is the climate like in Newark?

Newark enjoys approximately 205 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 86°F, while winter lows can drop to around 25°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.