City comparison
No. Newark's crime index is 136 versus 162 in Austin, and its violent crime index is 159 versus 130, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Newark is cheaper. Median rent is $1,392 a month versus $1,729 in Austin.
The income gap between Austin and Newark is significant: $93,658 median household versus $52,060. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,729 in Austin and $1,392 in Newark.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Newark costs less and Austin pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Newark at $1,392 average has pockets that run $1,192 and others at $1,792: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Austin and Newark are 1,503 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,729 a month in Austin to $1,392 a month in Newark, down $337 a month (19%).
Median household income goes from $93,658 in Austin to $52,060 in Newark, down $41,598 (44%).
The crime index goes from 162 in Austin to 136 in Newark, down 26 points (16%).
The move
Newark and Austin are 1,503 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,392 a month in Newark to $1,729 a month in Austin, up $337 a month (24%).
Median household income goes from $52,060 in Newark to $93,658 in Austin, up $41,598 (80%).
The crime index goes from 136 in Newark to 162 in Austin, up 26 points (19%).
Austin, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Newark, NJ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Austin and Newark? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
19% cheaper
Newark rent is 19% cheaper than Austin
Austin
$1,729/mo
Newark
Winner$1,392/mo
Typical rent runs $1,392 a month in Newark versus $1,729 in Austin, so Newark is 19% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $4,044, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Newark still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Austin.
Planning to buy in Newark? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
80% higher
Austin's median income is 80% higher than Newark
Austin
Winner$93,658
Newark
$52,060
Median household income is $93,658 in Austin versus $52,060 in Newark, so typical pay runs 80% higher in Austin (about $41,598 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Austin is the stronger labor market on paper. Newark can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
16% lower crime
Newark's crime index is 16% lower than Austin
Austin
162 (100 = avg)
Newark
Winner136 (100 = avg)
Newark's crime index is 136 versus 162 in Austin (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 16% lower in Newark. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Newark is the easier city. Austin can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
45% more comfortable
Austin weather is 45% more comfortable than Newark
Austin
Winner68°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
Newark
54°F avg · 60°F highs · comfort 69/100
Austin averages about 68°F (76°F highs); Newark averages about 54°F (60°F highs). Austin sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Newark averages around 54°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Austin scores 45% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Newark if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 80% higher ($93,658), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 68°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Newark is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 19% cheaper here at about $1,392 a month. Choose Newark if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Newark is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 16% lower than Austin (136 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Newark is cheaper on rent ($1,392/month vs $1,729), but Austin's $93,658 median income beats Newark's $52,060 by 44%. Remote workers paid on Austin scales can make that trade; local-market earners often cannot.
Austin still pays more locally ($93,658 median income vs $52,060), which can offset the lease if your field pays Austin rates.
Typical rent stays $1,392 in Newark and $1,729 in Austin.
Most movers who prioritize local pay land in Austin; Newark only makes sense when $1,392/month housing savings outweigh $93,658 median pay in your field.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Newark when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Austin and Newark, plus other cities in TX and NJ.
