Newark NJ vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newark
307,188
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Newark
16.5%
Philadelphia
36.1%
Philadelphia +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Philadelphia
39.9%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 35.1 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 14.6% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 36.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Black | 46.7% | 39.9% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 15.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Philadelphia
8.4%
Philadelphia +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Philadelphia
22.0%
Philadelphia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $65,080 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 8.4% | Philadelphia + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 22.0% | Philadelphia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Philadelphia
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Philadelphia
1613
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 319 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1613 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 57.1°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 48.5 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 34.5 min | Philadelphia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Philadelphia. Philadelphia has a lower unemployment rate at 8.4%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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