Newark NJ vs Sandy UT — 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Newark
16.5%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 94,723 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 36.9 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 10.3% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 46.7% | 0.8% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 11.3% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $60,713 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Newark +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $672,082 | Newark + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Sandy
245
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Sandy
1931
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 245 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1931 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Sandy
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.2% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, 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 245 in Sandy. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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