City comparison
Yes. Newark's crime index is 136 versus 158 in Riverside, and its violent crime index is 159 versus 163, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Newark is cheaper. Median rent is $1,392 a month versus $1,914 in Riverside.
The income gap between Newark and Riverside is significant: $52,060 median household versus $91,045. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,392 in Newark and $1,914 in Riverside.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Newark costs less and Riverside 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 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 Riverside are 2,395 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,392 a month in Newark to $1,914 a month in Riverside, up $522 a month (38%).
Median household income goes from $52,060 in Newark to $91,045 in Riverside, up $38,985 (75%).
The crime index goes from 136 in Newark to 158 in Riverside, up 22 points (16%).
The move
Riverside and Newark are 2,395 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,914 a month in Riverside to $1,392 a month in Newark, down $522 a month (27%).
Median household income goes from $91,045 in Riverside to $52,060 in Newark, down $38,985 (43%).
The crime index goes from 158 in Riverside to 136 in Newark, down 22 points (14%).
Newark, NJ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Riverside, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Newark and Riverside? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
27% cheaper
Newark rent is 27% cheaper than Riverside
Newark
Winner$1,392/mo
Riverside
$1,914/mo
Typical rent runs $1,392 a month in Newark versus $1,914 in Riverside, so Newark is 27% cheaper. That's roughly $522/month back in your pocket ($6,264/year). Over five years that's $31,320 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 Riverside, 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
75% higher
Riverside's median income is 75% higher than Newark
Newark
$52,060
Riverside
Winner$91,045
Median household income is $91,045 in Riverside versus $52,060 in Newark, so typical pay runs 75% higher in Riverside (about $38,985 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, Riverside 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
14% lower crime
Newark's crime index is 14% lower than Riverside
Newark
Winner136 (100 = avg)
Riverside
158 (100 = avg)
Newark's crime index is 136 versus 158 in Riverside (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 14% lower in Newark. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Newark, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Riverside. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
45% more comfortable
Riverside weather is 45% more comfortable than Newark
Newark
54°F avg · 60°F highs · comfort 69/100
Riverside
Winner77°F avg · 84°F highs · comfort 100/100
Newark averages about 54°F (60°F highs); Riverside averages about 77°F (84°F highs). Newark averages around 54°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Riverside sits near 77°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Riverside 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
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Newark is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 27% 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.
Newark is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 14% lower than Riverside (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.
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 75% higher ($91,045), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 77°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Bottom line
This pair is really a paycheck comparison: Riverside at $91,045 median income versus $52,060 in Newark. Housing ($1,392 in Newark, $1,914 in Riverside) is secondary unless you are rent-burdened already.
Riverside still pays more locally ($91,045 median income vs $52,060), which can offset the lease if your field pays Riverside rates.
Typical rent stays $1,392 in Newark and $1,914 in Riverside.
Riverside clears the bar on local pay in this dataset. Newark deserves a serious look only when keeping rent near $1,392/month beats chasing $91,045 median income.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Newark and Riverside, plus other cities in NJ and CA.
