City comparison
No. Newark's crime index is 136 versus 147 in Boston, and its violent crime index is 159 versus 175, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Newark is cheaper. Median rent is $1,392 a month versus $2,147 in Boston.
The income gap between Boston and Newark is significant: $97,344 median household versus $52,060. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,147 in Boston and $1,392 in Newark.
Newark is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Boston makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Newark is the stronger move.
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
Boston and Newark are 196 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,147 a month in Boston to $1,392 a month in Newark, down $755 a month (35%).
Median household income goes from $97,344 in Boston to $52,060 in Newark, down $45,284 (47%).
The crime index goes from 147 in Boston to 136 in Newark, down 11 points (7%).
The move
Newark and Boston are 196 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,392 a month in Newark to $2,147 a month in Boston, up $755 a month (54%).
Median household income goes from $52,060 in Newark to $97,344 in Boston, up $45,284 (87%).
The crime index goes from 136 in Newark to 147 in Boston, up 11 points (8%).
Boston, MA
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 Boston and Newark? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
35% cheaper
Newark rent is 35% cheaper than Boston
Boston
$2,147/mo
Newark
Winner$1,392/mo
Typical rent runs $1,392 a month in Newark versus $2,147 in Boston, so Newark is 35% cheaper. That's roughly $755/month back in your pocket ($9,060/year). Over five years that's $45,300 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Boston, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Newark is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Newark? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
87% higher
Boston's median income is 87% higher than Newark
Boston
Winner$97,344
Newark
$52,060
Median household income is $97,344 in Boston versus $52,060 in Newark, so typical pay runs 87% higher in Boston (about $45,284 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, Boston 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
7% lower crime
Newark's crime index is 7% lower than Boston
Boston
147 (100 = avg)
Newark
Winner136 (100 = avg)
Newark's crime index is 136 versus 147 in Boston (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 7% lower in Newark. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Newark, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Boston. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
15% more comfortable
Newark weather is 15% more comfortable than Boston
Boston
55°F avg · 61°F highs · comfort 72/100
Newark
Winner59°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 83/100
Boston averages about 55°F (61°F highs); Newark averages about 59°F (66°F highs). Boston averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Newark averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Newark scores 15% 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 Boston 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 and professional growth
Boston is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 87% higher here ($97,344). Start with Boston if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Newark is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 35% 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.
Pick Newark if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (59°F) beat Boston on this page's weather index by 15%. Boston may pay more or cost less, but Newark is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Newark is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 7% lower than Boston (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 rent at $1,392/month is $755 below Boston's $2,147/month. Boston median income is $97,344 versus $52,060 in Newark, so the cheaper lease rarely pairs with Boston-level local pay.
Newark actually leads on safety here at 51/100 versus Boston's 48/100, with crime index 136 against 147. That does not erase ZIP-level risk, but it is not the story people assume about Newark versus Boston.
Choose Newark when you commute to NYC or Newark jobs and need the rent gap more than Boston amenities. Choose Boston when your salary is Boston-sized and you want the higher median income with 55°F averages versus Newark's 59°F.
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 Boston and Newark, plus other cities in MA and NJ.
