Newark NJ vs San Francisco 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%
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newark
307,188
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
San Francisco
34.2%
White
Newark
16.5%
San Francisco
40.5%
San Francisco +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
San Francisco
15.9%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 39.7 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 34.2% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 40.5% | San Francisco + |
| Black | 46.7% | 5.1% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 15.9% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
San Francisco
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
San Francisco
5.6%
San Francisco +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,230 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 5.6% | San Francisco + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Newark +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
San Francisco
38.5%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $1,369,171 | Newark + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 38.5% | San Francisco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
San Francisco
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
San Francisco
2388
| Metric | Newark, NJ | San Francisco, 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%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 9.7% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 19.6% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
San Francisco
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 55.3°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 20.7 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
San Francisco
33.9 min
San Francisco +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 33.9 min | San Francisco + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, 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 503 in San Francisco. San Francisco has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Newark, NJLos Angeles, CA vs Newark, NJChicago, IL vs Newark, NJHouston, TX vs Newark, NJNewark, NJ vs Phoenix, AZNewark, NJ vs Philadelphia, PA