Median rent is 20% lower in Newark ($1,392/mo vs $1,747/mo). Buying is cheaper in Newark, where the median home runs $373,700 versus $394,100. Households earn more in Orlando ($72,336 vs $52,060 a year). Taken together, Orlando is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 101.6 against 112.6 — about 10% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Orlando, FL.
Cost of living verdict
Orlando is 10% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 101.6 in Orlando vs 112.6 in Newark (US national average = 100)
City A
Newark, NJ
City B
Orlando, FL
How much would you need to earn in Orlando, FL to maintain your standard of living from Newark, NJ?
Equivalent salary in Orlando, FL
$67,639
You could earn $7,361 less (10% 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
Newark
New Jersey
Orlando
Florida
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
Median rent is modestly lower in Newark at $1,392/mo compared to $1,747/mo in Orlando (20% gap). Median home values are within 5% of each other: $373,700 in Newark and $394,100 in Orlando.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Newark
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Orlando
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Newark has cleaner air on average: 46.0 AQI (Good) compared to 54.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Orlando if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 101.6 vs 112.6).
Pick Orlando if you prioritize higher median household income ($72,336/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 Newark cheaper than Orlando?
Orlando is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 101.6 versus 112.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 10% lower in Orlando.
How much is rent in Newark vs Orlando?
Median rent is $1,392/mo in Newark, NJ and $1,747/mo in Orlando, FL. Newark, NJ has the lower rent by about 20%.
Which has higher salaries — Newark or Orlando?
Median household income is $52,060 in Newark, NJ and $72,336 in Orlando, FL. Orlando, FL 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 54.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Newark or Orlando?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Orlando to match my Newark income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Newark, NJ is equivalent to roughly $90,186 in Orlando, FL (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
