Newark NJ vs Tucson AZ — 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newark
307,188
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Newark
16.5%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 13.7% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 46.7% | 5.0% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Tucson
$54,546
Tucson +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Tucson
$31,152
Tucson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $54,546 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $31,152 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $59,120 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 6.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 450 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2150 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Tucson
15.7%
Tucson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Tucson
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 15.7% | Tucson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.6% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 69.8°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tucson leads in median household income at $54,546, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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