City comparison
Yes. Henderson's crime index is 85 versus 136 in Newark, and its violent crime index is 72 versus 159, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Newark is cheaper. Median rent is $1,392 a month versus $1,824 in Henderson.
The income gap between Henderson and Newark is significant: $90,138 median household versus $52,060. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,824 in Henderson and $1,392 in Newark.
Henderson is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, 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 Henderson 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
Henderson and Newark are 2,214 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,824 a month in Henderson to $1,392 a month in Newark, down $432 a month (24%).
Median household income goes from $90,138 in Henderson to $52,060 in Newark, down $38,078 (42%).
The crime index goes from 85 in Henderson to 136 in Newark, up 51 points (60%).
The move
Newark and Henderson are 2,214 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,392 a month in Newark to $1,824 a month in Henderson, up $432 a month (31%).
Median household income goes from $52,060 in Newark to $90,138 in Henderson, up $38,078 (73%).
The crime index goes from 136 in Newark to 85 in Henderson, down 51 points (38%).
Henderson, NV
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 Henderson and Newark? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
24% cheaper
Newark rent is 24% cheaper than Henderson
Henderson
$1,824/mo
Newark
Winner$1,392/mo
Typical rent runs $1,392 a month in Newark versus $1,824 in Henderson, so Newark is 24% cheaper. That's roughly $432/month back in your pocket ($5,184/year). Over five years that's $25,920 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 Henderson, 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 Henderson? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
73% higher
Henderson's median income is 73% higher than Newark
Henderson
Winner$90,138
Newark
$52,060
Median household income is $90,138 in Henderson versus $52,060 in Newark, so typical pay runs 73% higher in Henderson (about $38,078 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, Henderson 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
38% lower crime
Henderson's crime index is 38% lower than Newark
Henderson
Winner85 (100 = avg)
Newark
136 (100 = avg)
Henderson's crime index is 85 versus 136 in Newark (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 38% lower in Henderson. 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, Henderson is the easier city. Newark can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
45% more comfortable
Henderson weather is 45% more comfortable than Newark
Henderson
Winner74°F avg · 82°F highs · comfort 100/100
Newark
54°F avg · 60°F highs · comfort 69/100
Henderson averages about 74°F (82°F highs); Newark averages about 54°F (60°F highs). Henderson sits near 74°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. Henderson 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 73% higher ($90,138), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 74°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Henderson is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 38% lower than Newark (85 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.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Newark
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.
Bottom line
Henderson posts $90,138 median household income against $52,060 in Newark. That 42% pay gap is the story when rents are $1,392 in Newark and $1,824 in Henderson.
Safety still diverges (65/100 in Henderson vs 51/100 in Newark), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Weather averages land near 74°F in Henderson and 54°F in Newark.
Between Henderson and Newark, Henderson is ahead on local pay — $90,138 median income against $52,060. Lean Newark instead when keeping rent near $1,392/month beats chasing $90,138 median income.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Henderson and Newark, plus other cities in NV and NJ.
