Newark NJ vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Tallahassee
199,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Newark
16.5%
Tallahassee
50.7%
Tallahassee +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Tallahassee
35.7%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 199,696 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 8.0% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 50.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Black | 46.7% | 35.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 8.6% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Tallahassee
$55,931
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Tallahassee
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Tallahassee
6.5%
Tallahassee +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Tallahassee
23.2%
Tallahassee +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $55,931 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $35,704 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $65,328 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 6.5% | Tallahassee + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 23.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Tallahassee
39.5%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 39.5% | Tallahassee + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Tallahassee
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Tallahassee
1453
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 324 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1453 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Newark +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Tallahassee
13.2%
Tallahassee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 20.3% | Newark + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 13.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.7% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 67.6°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 58.1 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tallahassee leads in median household income at $55,931, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Tallahassee. Tallahassee has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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