salaryNewark is the largest city in New Jersey that we track, with 310,178 residents. Rent is higher than in 61% of U.S. cities. Incomes are on the low side for rents this high, so budgets feel tight. A typical house costs about 6.7 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are long, about 32.6 minutes each way. Most households rent (76%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $74,680 a year. That is $36 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other New Jersey cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of New Jersey. It is number 64 of 291 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Newark with other big cities
Compare Newark to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Newark?
Share of households by yearly income. 15.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Newark
| Size | Newark | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,358 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,112 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,573 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,938 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,290 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Newark overall?
Everyday prices in the New York-Newark-Jersey City metro area are 13% above the U.S. average (index 112.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Newark
Life in Newark
What jobs pay in Newark
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $208,880 | 10.7% |
| Physician Assistant | $167,650 | 13.4% |
| Software Developer | $166,830 | 13.4% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $163,340 | 13.7% |
| Operations Manager | $157,000 | 14.3% |
| Pharmacist | $141,320 | 15.9% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $128,340 | 17.5% |
| Registered Nurse | $119,720 | 18.7% |
| Dental Hygienist | $109,720 | 20.4% |
| Civil Engineer | $107,330 | 20.9% |
| Firefighter | $106,420 | 21.1% |
| Accountant | $105,650 | 21.2% |
| Police Officer | $105,540 | 21.2% |
| Market Research Analyst | $100,520 | 22.3% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $96,900 | 23.1% |
| Electrician | $79,020 | 28.4% |
| Plumber | $78,610 | 28.5% |
| HVAC Technician | $77,990 | 28.7% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $75,910 | 29.5% |
| Carpenter | $74,300 | 30.2% |
| Truck Driver | $65,040 | 34.4% |
| Customer Service Representative | $49,590 | 45.2% |
| Nursing Assistant | $49,270 | 45.5% |
| Medical Assistant | $48,370 | 46.3% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $47,610 | 47.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $43,740 | 51.2% |
| Warehouse Worker | $43,290 | 51.8% |
| Retail Salesperson | $38,280 | 58.5% |
| Cashier | $35,950 | 62.3% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Newark?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $726 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $373,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $37,370 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Newark, NJ?
Renting in Newark costs a median of about $1,867 a month in 2026, including utilities. The New Jersey median is $2,240.
How much do I need to make to live in Newark?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $74,680 a year, or $36 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Newark cheap or expensive?
Newark is rated Expensive: rent takes 39.9% of the typical household income of $56,147. It ranks 64th cheapest of 291 New Jersey cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Newark?
The median homeowner in Newark pays $7,262 a year in property taxes, about 1.94% of the median home value.
Is Newark more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 13% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Newark?
The median home value in Newark is $373,700, about 6.7 times the typical yearly household income.
310,178 people live in Newark. Numbers are typical (middle) values.