Newark NJ vs St. Louis MO — 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newark
307,188
Newark +
St. Louis
293,109
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Newark
16.5%
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
St. Louis
43.1%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 293,109 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 36.6 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 6.6% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 45.7% | St. Louis + |
| Black | 46.7% | 43.1% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 5.1% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
St. Louis
$55,279
St. Louis +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
St. Louis
19.8%
St. Louis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $55,279 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $58,527 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 19.8% | St. Louis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
St. Louis
45.4%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 45.4% | St. Louis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Newark, NJ | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 501 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2418 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
St. Louis
13.2%
St. Louis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
St. Louis
16.8%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 36.8% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.2% | St. Louis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 18.8% | St. Louis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.9% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 16.8% | St. Louis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | St. Louis, MO | 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
Newark +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Newark, NJ | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Louis leads in median household income at $55,279, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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