City comparison
No. Newark's crime index is 136 versus 183 in San Francisco, and its violent crime index is 159 versus 156, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Newark is cheaper. Median rent is $1,392 a month versus $2,476 in San Francisco.
The income gap between San Francisco and Newark is significant: $140,970 median household versus $52,060. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,476 in San Francisco and $1,392 in Newark.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Newark costs less and San Francisco 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
San Francisco and Newark are 2,557 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,476 a month in San Francisco to $1,392 a month in Newark, down $1,084 a month (44%).
Median household income goes from $140,970 in San Francisco to $52,060 in Newark, down $88,910 (63%).
The crime index goes from 183 in San Francisco to 136 in Newark, down 47 points (26%).
The move
Newark and San Francisco are 2,557 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,392 a month in Newark to $2,476 a month in San Francisco, up $1,084 a month (78%).
Median household income goes from $52,060 in Newark to $140,970 in San Francisco, up $88,910 (171%).
The crime index goes from 136 in Newark to 183 in San Francisco, up 47 points (35%).
San Francisco, CA
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 San Francisco and Newark? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
44% cheaper
Newark rent is 44% cheaper than San Francisco
San Francisco
$2,476/mo
Newark
Winner$1,392/mo
Typical rent runs $1,392 a month in Newark versus $2,476 in San Francisco, so Newark is 44% cheaper. That's roughly $1,084/month back in your pocket ($13,008/year). Over five years that's $65,040 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 San Francisco, 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
171% higher
San Francisco's median income is 171% higher than Newark
San Francisco
Winner$140,970
Newark
$52,060
Median household income is $140,970 in San Francisco versus $52,060 in Newark, so typical pay runs 171% higher in San Francisco (about $88,910 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, San Francisco 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
26% lower crime
Newark's crime index is 26% lower than San Francisco
San Francisco
183 (100 = avg)
Newark
Winner136 (100 = avg)
Newark's crime index is 136 versus 183 in San Francisco (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 26% 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. San Francisco can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
45% more comfortable
San Francisco weather is 45% more comfortable than Newark
San Francisco
Winner65°F avg · 73°F highs · comfort 100/100
Newark
54°F avg · 60°F highs · comfort 69/100
San Francisco averages about 65°F (73°F highs); Newark averages about 54°F (60°F highs). San Francisco sits near 65°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Newark averages around 54°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. San Francisco 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
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 171% higher ($140,970), 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.
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 44% 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 26% lower than San Francisco (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
Pay is the headline: San Francisco median income is $140,970 versus $52,060 in Newark (63% higher). Rent still runs $2,476/month in San Francisco and $1,392/month in Newark, so the wage edge only helps if your offer matches San Francisco rates.
San Francisco still pays more locally ($140,970 median income vs $52,060), which can offset the lease if your field pays San Francisco rates.
Weather averages land near 65°F in San Francisco and 54°F in Newark.
Pick San Francisco when your field pays toward $140,970 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
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