City comparison
No. Newark's crime index is 136 versus 169 in New York, and its violent crime index is 159 versus 195, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Newark is cheaper. Median rent is $1,392 a month versus $1,821 in New York.
The income gap between New York and Newark is significant: $80,483 median household versus $52,060. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,821 in New York 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. New York 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
New York and Newark are 9 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,821 a month in New York to $1,392 a month in Newark, down $429 a month (24%).
Median household income goes from $80,483 in New York to $52,060 in Newark, down $28,423 (35%).
The crime index goes from 169 in New York to 136 in Newark, down 33 points (20%).
The move
Newark and New York are 9 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,392 a month in Newark to $1,821 a month in New York, up $429 a month (31%).
Median household income goes from $52,060 in Newark to $80,483 in New York, up $28,423 (55%).
The crime index goes from 136 in Newark to 169 in New York, up 33 points (24%).
New York, NY
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 New York and Newark? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
24% cheaper
Newark rent is 24% cheaper than New York
New York
$1,821/mo
Newark
Winner$1,392/mo
Typical rent runs $1,392 a month in Newark versus $1,821 in New York, so Newark is 24% cheaper. That's roughly $429/month back in your pocket ($5,148/year). Over five years that's $25,740 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 New York, 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
55% higher
New York's median income is 55% higher than Newark
New York
Winner$80,483
Newark
$52,060
Median household income is $80,483 in New York versus $52,060 in Newark, so typical pay runs 55% higher in New York (about $28,423 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, New York 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
20% lower crime
Newark's crime index is 20% lower than New York
New York
169 (100 = avg)
Newark
Winner136 (100 = avg)
Newark's crime index is 136 versus 169 in New York (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 20% 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. New York can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
8% more comfortable
Newark weather is 8% more comfortable than New York
New York
52°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 64/100
Newark
Winner54°F avg · 60°F highs · comfort 69/100
New York averages about 52°F (58°F highs); Newark averages about 54°F (60°F highs). New York averages around 52°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. Newark scores 8% 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 New York 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
New York is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 55% higher here ($80,483). Start with New York 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 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.
Pick Newark if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (54°F) beat New York on this page's weather index by 8%. New York 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 20% lower than New York (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
This pair is really a paycheck comparison: New York at $80,483 median income versus $52,060 in Newark. Housing ($1,392 in Newark, $1,821 in New York) is secondary unless you are rent-burdened already.
New York still pays more locally ($80,483 median income vs $52,060), which can offset the lease if your field pays New York rates.
Safety scores read 44/100 in New York and 51/100 in Newark.
New York clears the bar on local pay in this dataset. Newark deserves a serious look only when keeping rent near $1,392/month beats chasing $80,483 median income.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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