Miami 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)
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
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
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Newark
307,188
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Miami
39.7
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
Newark
34.9%
White
Miami
34.2%
Miami +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Miami
13.7%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Miami
1.6%
Newark
1.9%
Newark +
Hispanic
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Newark
37.2%
Spanish at Home
Miami
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 446,663 | 307,188 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 57.7% | 34.9% | Miami + |
| White | 34.2% | 16.5% | Miami + |
| Black | 13.7% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.9% | Newark + |
| Hispanic | 71.2% | 37.2% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami
$59,390
Miami +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami
$65,328
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Miami
19.2%
Miami +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami
35.6%
Miami +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,390 | $48,416 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,528 | $25,509 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 10.9% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 24.7% | Miami + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.6% | 17.4% | Miami + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami
$580,996
Newark
$482,675
Newark +
Homeownership Rate
Miami
30.7%
Miami +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,996 | $482,675 | Newark + |
| Homeownership Rate | 30.7% | 24.1% | Miami + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
324
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
1453
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Miami, 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
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.5%
Newark
14.6%
Newark +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami
27.2%
Newark
23.4%
Newark +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.3%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami
12.3%
Miami +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.9% | 35.9% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.6% | Newark + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 20.0% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 23.4% | Newark + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 18.2% | Miami + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
75.8°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
64.1 in
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.8°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1 in | 46.3 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Miami, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami
29.9 min
Miami +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Miami, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.9 min | 35.9 min | Miami + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami leads in median household income at $59,390, 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 324 in Miami. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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