Is Newark expensive to live in?

Newark is among the most expensive of the 158 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,391 per month ranks #26 of 158 and is 33% higher than the $1,043 median.

What is the average rent in Newark?

Average rent in Newark, DE runs a studio around $1,649, a one-bedroom around $1,391, a two-bedroom around $1,513, a three-bedroom around $1,916 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Newark?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,391 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $56,000 a year. The median household income here is $71,373.

How much does it cost to live in Newark per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Newark is about $1,620 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Cost of Living in Newark, DE

Population 30,309 · Delaware

~$1,620/mo est.1BR $1,391Home $357,600

Compare with:

The cost of living in Newark, DE is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $1,391 a month — 33% higher than the $1,043 median across the 158 large US cities we track. Studios average $1,649 and two-bedrooms $1,513.

Median household income here is $71,373, 5% higher than the $67,696 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,620 before food and transport. Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax.

Rent1BR $1,391

Studio

$1,649

1 Bedroom

$1,391

2 Bedroom

$1,513

3 Bedroom

$1,916

Buying a Home$357,600

Median Home Value

$357,600

Income$71,373

Median Household Income

$71,373

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,310

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesSouth

Milk (gal)

$4.00

Bread (lb)

$1.75

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

Average prices, South (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities19.3¢/kWh

Electricity

19.3¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$29.73/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-06-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$3.94/gal

Regular Gasoline (East Coast (PADD 1))

$3.94/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-31.

State Taxes (DE)No sales tax

State Sales Tax

None

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 6.60%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime326.3 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

326.3

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

2,024.6

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Newark Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 22.0 yrs

Median Age

22.0 yrs

Homeownership

50.3%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

57.5%

Avg Commute

19.6 min

Climate54.9°F

Avg Annual Temperature

54.9°F

Annual Precipitation

43.1 in

Newark cost of living — FAQ

Is Newark expensive to live in?: Newark is among the most expensive of the 158 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,391 per month ranks #26 of 158 and is 33% higher than the $1,043 median.
What is the average rent in Newark?: Average rent in Newark, DE runs a studio around $1,649, a one-bedroom around $1,391, a two-bedroom around $1,513, a three-bedroom around $1,916 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Newark?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,391 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $56,000 a year. The median household income here is $71,373.
How much does it cost to live in Newark per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Newark is about $1,620 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Newark with nearby cities

Newark vs Wilmington Newark vs Philadelphia Newark vs Dover Newark vs Baltimore Newark vs Annapolis Newark vs Allentown

Nearby cities

Wilmington, DE 11 mi Philadelphia, PA 36 mi Dover, DE 38 mi Baltimore, MD 53 mi Annapolis, MD 63 mi Allentown, PA 65 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.