Newark NJ vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newark
307,188
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Newark
16.5%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 37.4 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 9.1% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 46.7% | 18.9% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 8.9% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $69,581 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Virginia Beach
240
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Virginia Beach
1726
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 240 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1726 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 36.5% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.6% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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