Newark NJ vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newark
307,188
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Portland
12.4%
White
Newark
16.5%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 38.6 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 12.4% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 46.7% | 5.8% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 11.3% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $63,691 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Newark +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $538,687 | Newark + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 355 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 3001 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.7% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 78.3 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 26.5 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 in Portland. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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