Median rent is 26% lower in Newark ($1,392/mo vs $1,871/mo). Buying is cheaper in Newark, where the median home runs $373,700 versus $806,600. Households earn more in Long Beach ($87,430 vs $52,060 a year). Taken together, Newark is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 112.6 against 114.7 — about 2% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Long Beach, CA.
Cost of living verdict
Newark is 2% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 112.6 in Newark vs 114.7 in Long Beach (US national average = 100)
City A
Long Beach, CA
City B
Newark, NJ
How much would you need to earn in Newark, NJ to maintain your standard of living from Long Beach, CA?
Equivalent salary in Newark, NJ
$73,625
You could earn $1,375 less (2% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Long Beach
California
Newark
New Jersey
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Newark — median rent of $1,392/mo versus $1,871/mo in Long Beach, a 26% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Long Beach: the median home is $806,600 versus $373,700 in Newark — 54% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Long Beach
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Newark
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Newark has cleaner air on average: 46.0 AQI (Good) compared to 65.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Long Beach if you prioritize higher median household income ($87,430/yr).
Pick Newark if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,392/mo median).
Pick Newark if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 46.0).
Is Long Beach cheaper than Newark?
Newark is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 112.6 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 2% lower in Newark.
How much is rent in Long Beach vs Newark?
Median rent is $1,871/mo in Long Beach, CA and $1,392/mo in Newark, NJ. Newark, NJ has the lower rent by about 26%.
Which has higher salaries — Long Beach or Newark?
Median household income is $87,430 in Long Beach, CA and $52,060 in Newark, NJ. Long Beach, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Newark, NJ has better air quality on average: 46.0 AQI versus 65.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Long Beach or Newark?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Newark to match my Long Beach income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Long Beach, CA is equivalent to roughly $98,166 in Newark, NJ (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
