Grand Island NE 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)
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Grand Island
N/A
Newark
307,188
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
Newark
34.9%
White
Grand Island
N/A
Newark
16.5%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
Newark
46.7%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
Newark
37.2%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 307,188 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.8 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 34.9% | - |
| White | N/A | 16.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 46.7% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 37.2% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $48,416 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $25,509 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 10.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 24.7% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 17.4% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $254,245 | $482,675 | Grand Island + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 24.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Grand Island +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
Grand Island +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
Grand Island +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 14.6% | Grand Island + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 20.0% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 23.4% | Grand Island + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 18.2% | Grand Island + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
Grand Island +
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
Grand Island +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8°F | 54.9°F | Grand Island + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 46.3 in | Grand Island + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Grand Island + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 35.9 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Grand Island. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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