Newark NJ vs Sacramento CA — 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newark
307,188
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Sacramento
35.7
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Sacramento
21.3%
White
Newark
16.5%
Sacramento
36.8%
Sacramento +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Sacramento
12.4%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Sacramento
29.5%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 35.7 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 21.3% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 36.8% | Sacramento + |
| Black | 46.7% | 12.4% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 29.5% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Sacramento
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Sacramento
6.2%
Sacramento +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $42,300 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,230 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 6.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 14.4% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 36.4% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Sacramento
$480,548
Sacramento +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Sacramento
51.5%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $480,548 | Sacramento + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 51.5% | Sacramento + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 503 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2388 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Sacramento
17.9%
Sacramento +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Sacramento
14.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 17.9% | Sacramento + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 10.0% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 11.9% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 61.0°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Sacramento
27.0 min
Sacramento +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 27.0 min | Sacramento + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, while sacramento offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $480,548. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sacramento. Sacramento has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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