City comparison
No. Madison's crime index is 91 versus 136 in Newark, and its violent crime index is 68 versus 159, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Newark is cheaper. Median rent is $1,392 a month versus $1,413 in Madison.
The income gap between Newark and Madison is significant: $52,060 median household versus $78,050. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,392 in Newark and $1,413 in Madison.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Newark costs less and Madison 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 crime gap is citywide. Madison has rougher pockets and Newark has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Newark and Madison are 798 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,392 a month in Newark to $1,413 a month in Madison, up $21 a month (2%).
Median household income goes from $52,060 in Newark to $78,050 in Madison, up $25,990 (50%).
The crime index goes from 136 in Newark to 91 in Madison, down 45 points (33%).
The move
Madison and Newark are 798 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,413 a month in Madison to $1,392 a month in Newark, down $21 a month (1%).
Median household income goes from $78,050 in Madison to $52,060 in Newark, down $25,990 (33%).
The crime index goes from 91 in Madison to 136 in Newark, up 45 points (49%).
Newark, NJ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Madison, WI
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Newark and Madison? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
1% cheaper
Newark rent is 1% cheaper than Madison
Newark
Winner$1,392/mo
Madison
$1,413/mo
Typical rent runs $1,392 a month in Newark versus $1,413 in Madison, so Newark is 1% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $21, or $252 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Newark? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
50% higher
Madison's median income is 50% higher than Newark
Newark
$52,060
Madison
Winner$78,050
Median household income is $78,050 in Madison versus $52,060 in Newark, so typical pay runs 50% higher in Madison (about $25,990 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, Madison 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
33% lower crime
Madison's crime index is 33% lower than Newark
Newark
136 (100 = avg)
Madison
Winner91 (100 = avg)
Madison's crime index is 91 versus 136 in Newark (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 33% lower in Madison. 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, Madison 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
8% more comfortable
Newark weather is 8% more comfortable than Madison
Newark
Winner54°F avg · 60°F highs · comfort 69/100
Madison
52°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 64/100
Newark averages about 54°F (60°F highs); Madison averages about 52°F (62°F highs). Newark averages around 54°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Madison averages around 52°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 Madison if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
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 1% 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 Madison on this page's weather index by 8%. Madison may pay more or cost less, but Newark is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Madison is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 50% higher here ($78,050). Start with Madison if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Madison is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 33% lower than Newark (91 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
Pay is the headline: Madison median income is $78,050 versus $52,060 in Newark (33% higher). Rent still runs $1,413/month in Madison and $1,392/month in Newark, so the wage edge only helps if your offer matches Madison rates.
Safety still diverges (63/100 in Madison vs 51/100 in Newark), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Weather averages land near 54°F in Newark and 52°F in Madison.
Pick Madison when your field pays toward $78,050 median income. Otherwise, Newark's case rests on a $1,392 lease that leaves more room in the monthly budget.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Newark and Madison, plus other cities in NJ and WI.
