Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 34.8 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 59.2% | 16.5% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 1.9% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Newark
$48,416
Newark +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Gainesville +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Newark
24.7%
Newark +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $48,416 | Newark + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $25,509 | Gainesville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 10.9% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 24.7% | Newark + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 17.4% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Gainesville +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $482,675 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 24.1% | Gainesville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Newark
20.0%
Newark +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Gainesville +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 35.9% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 14.6% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 20.0% | Newark + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 23.4% | Gainesville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 18.2% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 46.3 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 35.9 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newark leads in median household income at $48,416, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Gainesville. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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