Los Angeles CA 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Newark
307,188
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
Newark
34.9%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Los Angeles +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Newark
37.2%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 307,188 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 34.9% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 16.5% | Los Angeles + |
| Black | 8.5% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 1.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 37.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Los Angeles +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Los Angeles +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Los Angeles +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $48,416 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $25,509 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 10.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 24.7% | Los Angeles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 17.4% | Los Angeles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Newark
$482,675
Newark +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Los Angeles +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $482,675 | Newark + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 24.1% | Los Angeles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Los Angeles +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 35.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.6% | Los Angeles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 20.0% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 23.4% | Los Angeles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 18.2% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 46.3 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles +
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Los Angeles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Los Angeles +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 35.9 min | Los Angeles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, while newark offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $482,675. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Los Angeles. Los Angeles has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Los Angeles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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