Median rent is 17% lower in Newark ($1,392/mo vs $1,676/mo). Buying is cheaper in Newark, where the median home runs $373,700 versus $479,600. Households earn more in Tacoma ($85,884 vs $52,060 a year). Taken together, Newark is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 112.6 against 112.7 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Tacoma, WA.
City A
Newark, NJ
City B
Tacoma, WA
How much would you need to earn in Tacoma, WA to maintain your standard of living from Newark, NJ?
Equivalent salary in Tacoma, WA
$75,057
You'd need $57 more (0% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Newark
New Jersey
Tacoma
Washington
👥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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Newark at $1,392/mo compared to $1,676/mo in Tacoma (17% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Tacoma: the median home is $479,600 versus $373,700 in Newark — 22% 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.
Newark
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Tacoma
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 Tacoma if you prioritize higher median household income ($85,884/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 Tacoma?
Newark is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 112.6 versus 112.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Newark.
How much is rent in Newark vs Tacoma?
Median rent is $1,392/mo in Newark, NJ and $1,676/mo in Tacoma, WA. Newark, NJ has the lower rent by about 17%.
Which has higher salaries — Newark or Tacoma?
Median household income is $52,060 in Newark, NJ and $85,884 in Tacoma, WA. Tacoma, WA 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 Tacoma?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Tacoma to match my Newark income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Newark, NJ is equivalent to roughly $100,076 in Tacoma, WA (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
