City comparison
No. Plano's crime index is 62 versus 136 in Newark, and its violent crime index is 43 versus 159, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Newark is cheaper. Median rent is $1,392 a month versus $1,841 in Plano.
The income gap between Newark and Plano is significant: $52,060 median household versus $112,253. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,392 in Newark and $1,841 in Plano.
Plano 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 Plano 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 Plano are 1,349 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,392 a month in Newark to $1,841 a month in Plano, up $449 a month (32%).
Median household income goes from $52,060 in Newark to $112,253 in Plano, up $60,193 (116%).
The crime index goes from 136 in Newark to 62 in Plano, down 74 points (54%).
The move
Plano and Newark are 1,349 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,841 a month in Plano to $1,392 a month in Newark, down $449 a month (24%).
Median household income goes from $112,253 in Plano to $52,060 in Newark, down $60,193 (54%).
The crime index goes from 62 in Plano to 136 in Newark, up 74 points (119%).
Newark, NJ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Plano, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Newark and Plano? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
24% cheaper
Newark rent is 24% cheaper than Plano
Newark
Winner$1,392/mo
Plano
$1,841/mo
Typical rent runs $1,392 a month in Newark versus $1,841 in Plano, so Newark is 24% cheaper. That's roughly $449/month back in your pocket ($5,388/year). Over five years that's $26,940 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 Plano, 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 Plano? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
116% higher
Plano's median income is 116% higher than Newark
Newark
$52,060
Plano
Winner$112,253
Median household income is $112,253 in Plano versus $52,060 in Newark, so typical pay runs 116% higher in Plano (about $60,193 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, Plano 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
54% lower crime
Plano's crime index is 54% lower than Newark
Newark
136 (100 = avg)
Plano
Winner62 (100 = avg)
Plano's crime index is 62 versus 136 in Newark (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 54% lower in Plano. 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, Plano 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
Plano weather is 45% more comfortable than Newark
Newark
54°F avg · 60°F highs · comfort 69/100
Plano
Winner65°F avg · 73°F highs · comfort 100/100
Newark averages about 54°F (60°F highs); Plano averages about 65°F (73°F highs). Newark averages around 54°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Plano sits near 65°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Plano 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
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.
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 116% higher ($112,253), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 65°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Plano is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 54% lower than Newark (62 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
Newark is cheaper on rent ($1,392/month vs $1,841), but Plano's $112,253 median income beats Newark's $52,060 by 54%. Remote workers paid on Plano scales can make that trade; local-market earners often cannot.
Plano still pays more locally ($112,253 median income vs $52,060), which can offset the lease if your field pays Plano rates.
Typical rent stays $1,392 in Newark and $1,841 in Plano.
Between Newark and Plano, Plano is ahead on local pay — $112,253 median income against $52,060. Lean Newark instead when keeping rent near $1,392/month beats chasing $112,253 median income.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Newark and Plano, plus other cities in NJ and TX.
