Newark NJ vs Ontario CA — 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%
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Ontario
138,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Ontario
36.9
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Ontario
21.0%
White
Newark
16.5%
Ontario
53.6%
Ontario +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 138,723 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 36.9 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 21.0% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 53.6% | Ontario + |
| Black | 46.7% | 1.6% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 40.0% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Ontario
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $50,759 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,230 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 4.7% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 9.2% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 40.1% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Newark +
Ontario
$671,948
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $671,948 | Newark + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 58.1% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Ontario
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Ontario
2388
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 503 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2388 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Ontario
17.0%
Ontario +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Ontario
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 33.6% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 17.8% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 17.0% | Ontario + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.7% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Ontario
65.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 65.5°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 15.0 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Ontario
28.2 min
Ontario +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 28.2 min | Ontario + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, 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 Ontario. Ontario has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Ontario has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ontario scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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