Newark NJ vs Westland MI — 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Westland
38.2
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Westland
9.2%
White
Newark
16.5%
Westland
63.7%
Westland +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Westland
22.6%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Westland
3.8%
Westland +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 84,155 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 38.2 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 9.2% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 63.7% | Westland + |
| Black | 46.7% | 22.6% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.8% | Westland + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 5.0% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Westland
$62,216
Westland +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Westland
$33,816
Westland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Westland
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Westland
5.3%
Westland +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Westland
13.3%
Westland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Westland
21.7%
Westland +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $62,216 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $33,816 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $58,052 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 5.3% | Westland + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 13.3% | Westland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 21.7% | Westland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Westland
$215,089
Westland +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Westland
61.1%
Westland +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $215,089 | Westland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 61.1% | Westland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Westland
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Westland
1590
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 471 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1590 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Westland
34.7%
Westland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Westland
12.3%
Westland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Westland
20.0%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Westland
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Westland
16.6%
Westland +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 34.7% | Westland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.3% | Westland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 20.0% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.6% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 16.6% | Westland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Westland, MI | 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
Newark +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
Westland
55.0%
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Westland
27.0 min
Westland +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 27.0 min | Westland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westland leads in median household income at $62,216, while westland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,089. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Westland. Westland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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