Newark NJ vs Palmdale 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Palmdale
17.2%
White
Newark
16.5%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Palmdale
24.3%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 44,998 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 57.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 17.2% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 46.7% | 5.4% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 24.3% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Palmdale
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Palmdale
8.2%
Palmdale +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,230 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 8.2% | Palmdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Newark +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $503,393 | Newark + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Palmdale, 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%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Palmdale
12.8%
Palmdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Palmdale
15.7%
Palmdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Palmdale
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.8% | Palmdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 18.6% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 15.7% | Palmdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.8% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 63.5°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 24.1 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, 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 Palmdale. Palmdale has a lower unemployment rate at 8.2%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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