Newark NJ vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Springfield
10.2%
White
Newark
16.5%
Springfield
40.8%
Springfield +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Springfield
20.0%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Springfield
2.8%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 154,751 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 10.2% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 40.8% | Springfield + |
| Black | 46.7% | 20.0% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.8% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Springfield
$51,339
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Springfield
$27,054
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Newark +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Springfield
19.7%
Springfield +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $51,339 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $27,054 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 25.3% | Newark + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 19.7% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $298,985 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 49.5% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Springfield
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 326 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Newark +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Newark +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Springfield
13.7%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Springfield
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Springfield
17.5%
Springfield +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 39.6% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.8% | Newark + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 21.1% | Newark + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 13.7% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.1% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 17.5% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Springfield, MA | 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
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $51,339, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 8.2%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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