Newark NJ vs Sunnyvale CA — 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Sunnyvale
153,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Sunnyvale
35.1
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Newark
16.5%
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Sunnyvale +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 153,455 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 35.1 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 16.5% | 30.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Black | 46.7% | 1.5% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 16.7% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,230 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Newark +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Sunnyvale
43.8%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $2,144,024 | Newark + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 43.8% | Sunnyvale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 503 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2388 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sunnyvale, CA | 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
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 25.3 min | Sunnyvale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, 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 503 in Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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