Newark NJ vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Orem
10.5%
White
Newark
16.5%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Newark +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Orem
30.6%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 86,973 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 10.5% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 46.7% | 1.9% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.6% | Newark + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 30.6% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Orem
$33,579
Orem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Orem
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Orem
25.6%
Orem +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $70,053 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $33,579 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $60,713 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 25.6% | Orem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Newark +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $509,396 | Newark + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Orem
245
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Orem
1931
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 245 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1931 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Orem
11.5%
Orem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 11.5% | Orem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 52.5°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 24.5 min | Orem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, 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 245 in Orem. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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