Newark NJ vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Plano
287,339
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Plano
28.7%
White
Newark
16.5%
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Plano
16.2%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 287,339 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 39.3 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 28.7% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 53.2% | Plano + |
| Black | 46.7% | 9.0% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 16.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Plano
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $63,758 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Newark +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $507,575 | Newark + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 56.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Plano
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Plano
2339
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 442 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2339 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.4% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Plano, TX | 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
Newark +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Plano
27.6 min
Plano +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 27.6 min | Plano + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, 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 442 in Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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