City comparison
No. Newark's crime index is 136 versus 261 in Philadelphia, and its violent crime index is 159 versus 252, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Newark is cheaper. Median rent is $1,392 a month versus $1,397 in Philadelphia.
Safety is where Philadelphia and Newark split most clearly. Newark scores 125 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,397 in Philadelphia and $1,392 in Newark.
This is a genuine split. Philadelphia wins on the job market and Newark wins on cost of living and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The crime gap is citywide. Newark has rougher pockets and Philadelphia has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Philadelphia and Newark are 75 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,397 a month in Philadelphia to $1,392 a month in Newark, down $5 a month (under 1%).
Median household income goes from $61,953 in Philadelphia to $52,060 in Newark, down $9,893 (16%).
The crime index goes from 261 in Philadelphia to 136 in Newark, down 125 points (48%).
The move
Newark and Philadelphia are 75 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,392 a month in Newark to $1,397 a month in Philadelphia, up $5 a month (under 1%).
Median household income goes from $52,060 in Newark to $61,953 in Philadelphia, up $9,893 (19%).
The crime index goes from 136 in Newark to 261 in Philadelphia, up 125 points (92%).
Philadelphia, PA
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 Philadelphia and Newark? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
1% cheaper
Newark rent is 1% cheaper than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
$1,397/mo
Newark
Winner$1,392/mo
Typical rent runs $1,392 a month in Newark versus $1,397 in Philadelphia, so Newark is 1% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $5, or $60 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
19% higher
Philadelphia's median income is 19% higher than Newark
Philadelphia
Winner$61,953
Newark
$52,060
Median household income is $61,953 in Philadelphia versus $52,060 in Newark, so typical pay runs 19% higher in Philadelphia (about $9,893 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, Philadelphia 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
48% lower crime
Newark's crime index is 48% lower than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
261 (100 = avg)
Newark
Winner136 (100 = avg)
Newark's crime index is 136 versus 261 in Philadelphia (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 48% 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. Philadelphia can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Philadelphia and Newark are about even on typical weather.
Philadelphia
54°F avg · 61°F highs · comfort 69/100
Newark
54°F avg · 60°F highs · comfort 69/100
Philadelphia averages about 54°F (61°F highs); Newark averages about 54°F (60°F highs). Philadelphia averages around 54°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. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Philadelphia is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 19% higher here ($61,953). Start with Philadelphia if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
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 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.
Newark is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 48% lower than Philadelphia (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
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Newark leads on safety (51/100 vs 31/100 in Philadelphia). With rent tied near $1,392/month, do not assume either lease buys the calmer blocks.
Median income is $61,953 in Philadelphia versus $52,060 in Newark — with rent matched, the paycheck gap matters more.
Between Philadelphia and Newark, Newark is ahead on safety — 51/100 safety versus 31/100. Lean Philadelphia instead when you already know the Philadelphia block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Newark when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Philadelphia and Newark, plus other cities in PA and NJ.
