Newark, NJ Cost Of Living

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-24

Cost Of Living In Newark, NJ Summary

Cost of living in Newark research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means Newark is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in New Jersey, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in Newark is 112, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in Newark is 1.1x higher than the national average.

  • Newark ranks as the #53 cheapest in New Jersey out of 260.

  • Newark ranks as the #3,863 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in Newark is $485,175.

  • The median income in Newark is $48,416.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
112
Newark's Overall Cost Of Living
1.1x
Higher Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in Newark, NJ?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Newark has an overall cost of living index of 112, which is 1.1x higher than the national index of 100.

Compared to New Jersey, Newark has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than New Jersey's index of 122.

The standard of living in Newark ranks as #53 most affordable out of the 260 places we measured in New Jersey. By definition, that implies Newark ranks as the #207 most expensive place in the Garden State.

For more reading on life in Newark, check out:

53 out of 260
In New Jersey
3,863 out of 6,489
In America

Newark Cost Of Living Vs. New Jersey

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Newark. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in Newark is 109.

  • The Groceries index in Newark is 103.

  • The Health index in Newark is 97.

  • The Housing index in Newark is 130.

  • The Transportation index in Newark is 109.

  • The Utilities index in Newark is 112.

Living Expense Newark New Jersey National Average
Overall 112 122 100
Services 109 108 100
Groceries 103 104 100
Health 97 99 100
Housing 130 159 100
Transportation 109 101 100
Utilities 112 107 100
For more reading on cost of living around New Jersey, check out:
Newark Cost of Living Vs. NJ

Newark, NJ Housing Cost Breakdown

Housing swings affordability the most between places in New Jersey, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2019-2023. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in Newark is $485,175.

  • The Median Rent in Newark is $1,330.

  • The Median Income in Newark is $48,416.

  • The Home Value To Income in Newark is 10.0x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Newark is 0.33x.

Statistic Newark New Jersey United States
Median Home Value $485,175 $564,432 $303,400
Median Rent $1,330 $1,653 $1,348
Median Income $48,416 $101,050 $78,538
Home Value To Income 10.0x 5.6x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.33x 0.2x 0.21x
$485,175
Median Home Value
$1,330
Median Rent
$48,416
Median Income

Newark, NJ Costs By Category

Detailed Newark Services Costs Vs. New Jersey

Item Newark New Jersey
Shampoo $1.48 $1.28
Movie $15.78 $12.13
Bowling $21.0 $18
Haircut $25.62 $24.26
Beauty Salon $41.67 $45.56

Detailed Newark Groceries Costs Vs. New Jersey

Item Newark New Jersey
Ground Beef $5.65 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.39 $1.57
Milk $4.71 $4.67
Potatoes $5.37 $4.93
Pizza $11.49 $12.09
Beer $11.33 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.72 $3.7

Detailed Newark Health Costs Vs. New Jersey

Item Newark New Jersey
Optometrist $157.11 $125.68
Doctor $115.59 $135.78
Dentist $124.27 $113.29

Detailed Newark Transportation Costs Vs. New Jersey

Item Newark New Jersey
Gasoline $3.41 $3.46
Tire Balancing $82.67 $59.92

Detailed Newark Utilities Costs Vs. New Jersey

Item Newark New Jersey
All Electricity $236.04 $193.99
Phone $186.61 $192.25

Newark SnackAbility

4
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
4/10
Housing
8.5
Affordability
3
Diversity
9.5
Safety
5
Amenities
10
Education
4
Commute
4

Cost Of Living In Cities Around Newark

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Newark. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:

  • Elizabeth, NJ has a cost of living index of 120, 1.1x Newark.

  • East Orange, NJ has a cost of living index of 112, 1.0x Newark.

  • Kearny, NJ has a cost of living index of 128, 1.1x Newark.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Newark
Elizabeth, NJ 135,887 120 1.1x
East Orange, NJ 69,183 112 1.0x
Kearny, NJ 40,570 128 1.1x
Westfield, NJ 30,760 178 1.6x
Harrison, NJ 19,599 126 1.1x
North Arlington, NJ 16,368 128 1.1x
Florham Park, NJ 13,134 165 1.5x
Glen Rock, NJ 12,082 165 1.5x
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 12,067 138 1.2x
Franklin Lakes, NJ 11,011 216 1.9x

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