Newark NJ vs Peoria AZ — 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%
Peoria, AZ
Arizona · Population: 194,338
- Median HH Income$93,403
- Median Home Price$488,428
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Peoria
194,338
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Peoria
42.1
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Peoria
11.3%
White
Newark
16.5%
Peoria
72.6%
Peoria +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Peoria
3.4%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Peoria
5.8%
Peoria +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Peoria
19.7%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 194,338 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 42.1 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 11.3% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 72.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 46.7% | 3.4% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 5.8% | Peoria + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 19.7% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Peoria
$93,403
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Peoria
$45,831
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Peoria
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Peoria
3.5%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Peoria
8.4%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Peoria
35.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $93,403 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $45,831 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $59,120 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 3.5% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 8.4% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 35.5% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Newark +
Peoria
$488,428
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Peoria
75.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $488,428 | Newark + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 75.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Peoria
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Peoria
2150
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 450 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2150 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Peoria
29.5%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Peoria
10.5%
Peoria +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Peoria
14.5%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Peoria
10.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Peoria
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Peoria
10.6%
Peoria +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 29.5% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.5% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 14.5% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 10.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.7% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 10.6% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Peoria
7.1 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Peoria
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Peoria
31.2 min
Peoria +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 31.2 min | Peoria + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $93,403, 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 450 in Peoria. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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