Newark NJ vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newark
307,188
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Seattle
19.9%
White
Newark
16.5%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 35.5 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 19.9% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 46.7% | 6.6% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 8.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Seattle
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $76,120 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Newark +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Seattle
44.3%
Seattle +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $871,599 | Newark + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 44.3% | Seattle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 383 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 3409 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 19.0% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Seattle
28.8 min
Seattle +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 28.8 min | Seattle + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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