Median rent is 11% lower in Newark ($1,392/mo vs $1,572/mo). Buying is cheaper in Newark, where the median home runs $373,700 versus $415,800. Households earn more in Raleigh ($85,395 vs $52,060 a year). Taken together, Raleigh is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 98.4 against 112.6 — about 13% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Raleigh, NC.
Cost of living verdict
Raleigh is 13% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 98.4 in Raleigh vs 112.6 in Newark (US national average = 100)
City A
Newark, NJ
City B
Raleigh, NC
How much would you need to earn in Raleigh, NC to maintain your standard of living from Newark, NJ?
Equivalent salary in Raleigh, NC
$65,486
You could earn $9,514 less (13% 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
Raleigh
North Carolina
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 $1,572/mo in Raleigh (11% gap). Median home values are within 10% of each other: $373,700 in Newark and $415,800 in Raleigh.
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
Raleigh
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Both cities have similar air quality: Newark averages 46.0 AQI (Good) and Raleigh averages 47.0 AQI (Good).
Pick Raleigh if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 98.4 vs 112.6).
Pick Raleigh if you prioritize higher median household income ($85,395/yr).
Pick Newark if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,392/mo median).
Is Newark cheaper than Raleigh?
Raleigh is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.4 versus 112.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 13% lower in Raleigh.
How much is rent in Newark vs Raleigh?
Median rent is $1,392/mo in Newark, NJ and $1,572/mo in Raleigh, NC. Newark, NJ has the lower rent by about 11%.
Which has higher salaries — Newark or Raleigh?
Median household income is $52,060 in Newark, NJ and $85,395 in Raleigh, NC. Raleigh, NC 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 47.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Newark or Raleigh?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Raleigh to match my Newark income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Newark, NJ is equivalent to roughly $87,314 in Raleigh, NC (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
