Newark NJ vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Newark
16.5%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 220,482 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 37.3 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 12.2% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 46.7% | 10.5% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 13.1% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Tacoma
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $76,120 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Newark +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $496,966 | Newark + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tacoma, 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%
Newark +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 37.3% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.8% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tacoma +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 31.1 min | Tacoma + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, 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 383 in Tacoma. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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