Newark NJ vs Tampa 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newark
307,188
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Tampa
19.0%
White
Newark
16.5%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Tampa
26.2%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 35.6 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 19.0% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 46.7% | 21.3% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 26.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Tampa
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $65,328 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $376,530 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 50.2% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Tampa
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Tampa
1453
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tampa, 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%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.7% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Tampa
46.3 in
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 73.4°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 46.3 in | Tie |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Tampa
26.8 min
Tampa +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 26.8 min | Tampa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while tampa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $376,530. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Tampa. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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