City comparison
No. Newark's crime index is 136 versus 271 in Denver, and its violent crime index is 159 versus 272, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Newark is cheaper. Median rent is $1,392 a month versus $1,831 in Denver.
The income gap between Denver and Newark is significant: $94,718 median household versus $52,060. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,831 in Denver and $1,392 in Newark.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Newark costs less and Denver 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
Denver and Newark are 1,618 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,831 a month in Denver to $1,392 a month in Newark, down $439 a month (24%).
Median household income goes from $94,718 in Denver to $52,060 in Newark, down $42,658 (45%).
The crime index goes from 271 in Denver to 136 in Newark, down 135 points (50%).
The move
Newark and Denver are 1,618 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,392 a month in Newark to $1,831 a month in Denver, up $439 a month (32%).
Median household income goes from $52,060 in Newark to $94,718 in Denver, up $42,658 (82%).
The crime index goes from 136 in Newark to 271 in Denver, up 135 points (99%).
Denver, CO
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 Denver and Newark? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
24% cheaper
Newark rent is 24% cheaper than Denver
Denver
$1,831/mo
Newark
Winner$1,392/mo
Typical rent runs $1,392 a month in Newark versus $1,831 in Denver, so Newark is 24% cheaper. That's roughly $439/month back in your pocket ($5,268/year). Over five years that's $26,340 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 Denver, 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
82% higher
Denver's median income is 82% higher than Newark
Denver
Winner$94,718
Newark
$52,060
Median household income is $94,718 in Denver versus $52,060 in Newark, so typical pay runs 82% higher in Denver (about $42,658 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, Denver 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
50% lower crime
Newark's crime index is 50% lower than Denver
Denver
271 (100 = avg)
Newark
Winner136 (100 = avg)
Newark's crime index is 136 versus 271 in Denver (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 50% 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. Denver can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
13% more comfortable
Denver weather is 13% more comfortable than Newark
Denver
Winner57°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 78/100
Newark
54°F avg · 60°F highs · comfort 69/100
Denver averages about 57°F (66°F highs); Newark averages about 54°F (60°F highs). Denver averages around 57°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. Denver scores 13% 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 82% higher ($94,718), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 57°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 24% 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 50% lower than Denver (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
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Newark leads on safety (51/100 vs 30/100 in Denver). Typical rent is $1,392 in Newark and $1,831 in Denver; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Newark rent at $1,392/month is still below Denver's $1,831, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,392 in Newark and $1,831 in Denver.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Newark; Denver only makes sense when you have walked the Denver ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,831 rent.
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 Denver and Newark, plus other cities in CO and NJ.
