Newark NJ vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Worcester
23.2%
White
Newark
16.5%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 205,501 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 23.2% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 46.7% | 12.1% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 24.9% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Worcester
42.4%
Worcester +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 42.4% | Worcester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 326 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Worcester
19.9%
Worcester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 19.9% | Worcester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.1% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 48.1 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Worcester. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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