Fort Worth TX vs Newark NJ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026

Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)

Fort Worth, TX

Texas · Population: 941,311

  • Median HH Income$76,602
  • Median Home Price$299,655
  • Unemployment4.9%
  • Bachelor's+31.7%

Newark, NJ

New Jersey · Population: 307,188

  • Median HH Income$48,416
  • Median Home Price$482,675
  • Unemployment10.9%
  • Bachelor's+17.4%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Fort Worth
941,311
Fort Worth +
Newark
307,188
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Worth
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Fort Worth
33.4
Fort Worth +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Fort Worth
17.0%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Fort Worth
47.7%
Fort Worth +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Fort Worth
19.5%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Fort Worth
5.2%
Fort Worth +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Fort Worth
34.6%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Fort Worth
N/A
Newark
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Fort Worth
$76,602
Fort Worth +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Fort Worth
$37,157
Fort Worth +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Worth
$63,758
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Worth
4.9%
Fort Worth +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Fort Worth
12.9%
Fort Worth +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Worth
31.7%
Fort Worth +
Newark
17.4%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Worth
$299,655
Fort Worth +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Fort Worth
56.8%
Fort Worth +
Newark
24.1%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
442
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
2339
Newark
1426
Newark +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
12.2%
Fort Worth +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Worth
18.5%
Fort Worth +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
20.0%
Fort Worth +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
16.9%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
13.8%
Fort Worth +
Newark
18.2%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
37.8 in
Fort Worth +
Newark
46.3 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Worth
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Worth
29.0 min
Fort Worth +
Newark
35.9 min

Which City is Right for You?

Fort Worth leads in median household income at $76,602, while fort Worth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,655. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Fort Worth. Fort Worth has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Worth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.

Compare More Cities

About Fort Worth & Newark