Newark NJ vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Scottsdale
242,169
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Newark
16.5%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 242,169 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 49.2 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 11.2% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 46.7% | 2.0% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 9.4% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $59,120 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Newark +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $858,307 | Newark + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 450 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2150 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Scottsdale
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.4% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 72.5°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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