Newark NJ vs Spokane 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, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Spokane
229,228
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Newark
16.5%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 229,228 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 37.2 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 6.1% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 46.7% | 2.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.9% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 7.8% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Spokane
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $76,120 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $400,636 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Spokane
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Spokane, 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
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 18.6% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.5% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while spokane offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $400,636. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Spokane. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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