Newark NJ vs Spokane Valley 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Newark
16.5%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Newark +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 105,460 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 37.6 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 5.1% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 46.7% | 1.4% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.7% | Newark + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 7.5% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Spokane Valley +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Spokane Valley
24.8%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $70,722 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $35,235 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $76,120 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 5.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 12.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 24.8% | Spokane Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Spokane Valley +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $414,734 | Spokane Valley + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Spokane Valley
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Spokane Valley, 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%
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Spokane Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Spokane Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 35.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 18.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.2% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 12.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Spokane Valley, WA | 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
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane Valley leads in median household income at $70,722, while spokane Valley offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,734. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Spokane Valley. Spokane Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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