Newark NJ vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Richmond
227,595
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Newark
16.5%
Richmond
43.2%
Richmond +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Richmond
42.0%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Richmond
2.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 227,595 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 8.6% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 43.2% | Richmond + |
| Black | 46.7% | 42.0% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 10.3% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Richmond
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $62,671 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $69,581 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 6.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Richmond
$374,265
Richmond +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Richmond
43.5%
Richmond +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $374,265 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 43.5% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Richmond
240
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Richmond
1726
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 240 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1726 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 36.7% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.2% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 58.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 43.6 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while richmond offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $374,265. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Richmond. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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