City comparison
No. Newark's crime index is 136 versus 338 in Baltimore, and its violent crime index is 159 versus 428, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Baltimore is cheaper. Median rent is $1,331 a month versus $1,392 in Newark.
Safety is where Baltimore and Newark split most clearly. Newark scores 202 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,331 in Baltimore and $1,392 in Newark.
Baltimore is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, the job market, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Newark makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Baltimore is the stronger move.
The crime gap is citywide. Newark has rougher pockets and Baltimore has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Baltimore and Newark are 163 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,331 a month in Baltimore to $1,392 a month in Newark, up $61 a month (5%).
Median household income goes from $62,177 in Baltimore to $52,060 in Newark, down $10,117 (16%).
The crime index goes from 338 in Baltimore to 136 in Newark, down 202 points (60%).
The move
Newark and Baltimore are 163 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,392 a month in Newark to $1,331 a month in Baltimore, down $61 a month (4%).
Median household income goes from $52,060 in Newark to $62,177 in Baltimore, up $10,117 (19%).
The crime index goes from 136 in Newark to 338 in Baltimore, up 202 points (149%).
Baltimore, MD
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 Baltimore and Newark? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
4% cheaper
Baltimore rent is 4% cheaper than Newark
Baltimore
Winner$1,331/mo
Newark
$1,392/mo
Typical rent runs $1,331 a month in Baltimore versus $1,392 in Newark, so Baltimore is 4% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $61, or $732 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Baltimore? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
19% higher
Baltimore's median income is 19% higher than Newark
Baltimore
Winner$62,177
Newark
$52,060
Median household income is $62,177 in Baltimore versus $52,060 in Newark, so typical pay runs 19% higher in Baltimore (about $10,117 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, Baltimore 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
60% lower crime
Newark's crime index is 60% lower than Baltimore
Baltimore
338 (100 = avg)
Newark
Winner136 (100 = avg)
Newark's crime index is 136 versus 338 in Baltimore (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 60% 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. Baltimore can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
4% more comfortable
Baltimore weather is 4% more comfortable than Newark
Baltimore
Winner55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Newark
54°F avg · 60°F highs · comfort 69/100
Baltimore averages about 55°F (62°F highs); Newark averages about 54°F (60°F highs). Baltimore averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Newark averages around 54°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Baltimore scores 4% 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
Baltimore is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 4% cheaper here at about $1,331 a month. Choose Baltimore if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 19% higher ($62,177), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 55°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 better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 60% lower than Baltimore (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
Safety is the widest gap: Newark scores 51/100 versus 23/100 in Baltimore. Rent is $1,392/month in Newark and $1,331/month in Baltimore, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Safety still diverges (51/100 in Newark vs 23/100 in Baltimore), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Weather averages land near 55°F in Baltimore and 54°F in Newark.
Newark is ahead on safety (51/100 vs 23/100); Baltimore is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,331/month rent plus $62,177 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Baltimore and Newark, plus other cities in MD and NJ.
