City comparison
Gilbert is safer than Newark. Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 136 in Newark, and its violent crime index is 37 versus 159, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Newark is cheaper. Median rent is $1,392 a month versus $2,110 in Gilbert.
The income gap between Newark and Gilbert is significant: $52,060 median household versus $122,551. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,392 in Newark and $2,110 in Gilbert.
Gilbert 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 Gilbert 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
Newark and Gilbert are 2,119 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,392 a month in Newark to $2,110 a month in Gilbert, up $718 a month (52%).
Median household income goes from $52,060 in Newark to $122,551 in Gilbert, up $70,491 (135%).
The crime index goes from 136 in Newark to 47 in Gilbert, down 89 points (65%).
The move
Gilbert and Newark are 2,119 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,110 a month in Gilbert to $1,392 a month in Newark, down $718 a month (34%).
Median household income goes from $122,551 in Gilbert to $52,060 in Newark, down $70,491 (58%).
The crime index goes from 47 in Gilbert to 136 in Newark, up 89 points (189%).
Newark, NJ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Gilbert, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Newark and Gilbert? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
34% cheaper
Newark rent is 34% cheaper than Gilbert
Newark
Winner$1,392/mo
Gilbert
$2,110/mo
Typical rent runs $1,392 a month in Newark versus $2,110 in Gilbert, so Newark is 34% cheaper. That's roughly $718/month back in your pocket ($8,616/year). Over five years that's $43,080 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 Gilbert, 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 Gilbert? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
135% higher
Gilbert's median income is 135% higher than Newark
Newark
$52,060
Gilbert
Winner$122,551
Median household income is $122,551 in Gilbert versus $52,060 in Newark, so typical pay runs 135% higher in Gilbert (about $70,491 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, Gilbert 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
65% lower crime
Gilbert's crime index is 65% lower than Newark
Newark
136 (100 = avg)
Gilbert
Winner47 (100 = avg)
Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 136 in Newark (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 65% lower in Gilbert. 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, Gilbert 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
28% more comfortable
Gilbert weather is 28% more comfortable than Newark
Newark
57°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 78/100
Gilbert
Winner80°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Newark averages about 57°F (64°F highs); Gilbert averages about 80°F (87°F highs). Newark averages around 57°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Gilbert sits near 80°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Gilbert scores 28% 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
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 34% 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.
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 135% higher ($122,551), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 80°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Gilbert is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 65% lower than Newark (47 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: Gilbert scores 83/100 versus 51/100 in Newark. Rent is $2,110/month in Gilbert and $1,392/month in Newark, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Newark rent at $1,392/month is still below Gilbert's $2,110, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,392 in Newark and $2,110 in Gilbert.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Gilbert; Newark only makes sense when you have walked the Newark ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,392 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Gilbert when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Newark and Gilbert, plus other cities in NJ and AZ.
