Newark NJ vs Phoenix 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newark
307,188
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Phoenix
34.8
Tie
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Phoenix
19.0%
White
Newark
16.5%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 34.8 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 19.0% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 46.7% | 7.8% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $59,120 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $411,323 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Phoenix, 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%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Phoenix
17.3%
Phoenix +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 17.3% | Phoenix + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 72.1°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 27.7 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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