Newark NJ vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Renton
35.0
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Newark
16.5%
Renton
48.7%
Renton +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 75,721 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 35.0 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 16.5% | 48.7% | Renton + |
| Black | 46.7% | 2.2% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 6.8% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Renton
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $76,120 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Newark +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Renton
45.2%
Renton +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $765,686 | Newark + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 45.2% | Renton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Renton
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 383 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 3409 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Renton
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.1% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Renton
40.1 in
Renton +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 53.2°F | Renton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 40.1 in | Renton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 25.4 min | Renton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, 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 383 in Renton. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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