Newark NJ vs Oklahoma City OK — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newark
307,188
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Oklahoma City
35.0
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Oklahoma City
12.0%
White
Newark
16.5%
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Oklahoma City +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Oklahoma City +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 688,693 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 35.0 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 12.0% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 58.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Black | 46.7% | 13.4% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.5% | Oklahoma City + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 21.7% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $66,702 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $37,109 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $57,929 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 4.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 15.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 34.0% | Oklahoma City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $207,961 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 59.1% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Oklahoma City
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Oklahoma City
2375
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 429 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2375 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Oklahoma City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Oklahoma City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Oklahoma City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 38.3% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 17.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 14.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.6% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 14.9% | Oklahoma City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Oklahoma City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 37.6 in | Oklahoma City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 23.6 min | Oklahoma City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oklahoma City leads in median household income at $66,702, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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