Newark, NJ
Census place 3451000 · pop 310,178
New Jersey's largest city and home to Newark Liberty International Airport, one of the busiest in the U.S.
Source ↗Sales & income are statewide.
The breakdown — worst first
U.S. median 67.2% · worse than most cities
24.4% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.
U.S. median 26.5% · worse than most cities
38.3% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.
U.S. median 9.3% · worse than most cities
23.4% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.
U.S. median 24 min · worse than most cities
33 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.
U.S. median 3.6% · worse than most cities
5.4% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 12.1% · worse than most cities
23.4% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.
U.S. median 17.4% · worse than most cities
20.0% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).
U.S. median 0.99% · worse than most cities
1.94% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.
U.S. median 14.6% · worse than most cities
18.2% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.
U.S. median 0.43 · worse than most cities
Gini 0.50 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).
U.S. median 152/100k · worse than most cities
582 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median $67,857 · worse than most cities
$52,060 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.
U.S. median 90.0% · worse than most cities
86.4% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
U.S. median 24.3% · worse than most cities
19.7% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.
U.S. median $1,756/mo · worse than most cities
$2,133/mo typical rent · Typical monthly rent (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types).
U.S. median 964/100k · worse than most cities
1962 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median $214,900 · worse than most cities
$373,700 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.
U.S. median 77/100 · worse than most cities
93/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 36.5% · worse than most cities
35.9% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).
U.S. median +2.4% · better than most cities
+10.4% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?
Not measured for Newark: Air, Bad air. Not every public source covers every city — EPA air monitors and Zillow rent only reach some places, and national crime data is still being added.
Frequently asked
- Is Newark, NJ a good place to live?
- By the numbers, Newark scores 20/100 — a F (Bad) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 20 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is population growth (5yr) and its weakest is homeownership. New Jersey overall ranks #43 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
- How safe is Newark, NJ?
- Newark reports 582 violent crimes per 100k and 1962 property crimes per 100k — worse than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
- Is Newark, NJ expensive to live in?
- Newark has a median home value of $373,700 and typical rent around $2,133/mo — pricier than most U.S. cities.
- What's the biggest downside of living in Newark, NJ?
- Its weakest measured area is homeownership (24.4%) — 1/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
- What is Newark, NJ best at?
- Its strongest measured area is population growth (5yr) (+10.4%) — 82/100, better than most U.S. cities. Fun fact: New Jersey's largest city and home to Newark Liberty International Airport, one of the busiest in the U.S.
Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.