Newark NJ vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Newark
16.5%
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Rochester
37.5%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Rochester
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 209,720 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 8.3% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 41.5% | Rochester + |
| Black | 46.7% | 37.5% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 20.0% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Newark +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Rochester
$30,451
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Rochester
7.9%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Newark +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $46,628 | Newark + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $30,451 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 7.9% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 26.6% | Newark + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Rochester
37.2%
Rochester +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 37.2% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Rochester
1736
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 434 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1736 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Rochester
16.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 38.0% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 18.8% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 16.6% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newark leads in median household income at $48,416, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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