Is it cheaper to live in Dover or Newark?

Newark, NJ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,230 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Dover, DE's $1,270, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Dover than in Newark?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Dover versus $39,000 in Newark.

Which has lower taxes, Dover or Newark?

Dover is taxed under Delaware's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax); Newark under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax).

Dover vs Newark Cost of Living 2026

Dover

Delaware

$1,270/mo est.

Newark

New Jersey

$1,230/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,270 in Dover, DE versus $1,230 in Newark, NJ. Overall, Newark, NJ is roughly 3% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Dover, DE, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $58,336 in Dover, DE and $48,416 in Newark, NJ — about 17% higher in Dover, DE. Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax; New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.

Dover, DE

Newark, NJ

Rent

Studio

$993

$1,111

+12% in Newark, NJ

1 Bedroom

$1,047

$978

+7% in Dover, DE

2 Bedroom

$1,185

$1,386

+17% in Newark, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,634

$1,695

+4% in Newark, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$248,500

$337,800

+36% in Newark, NJ

Income

Median Household Income

$58,336

$48,416

+17% in Dover, DE

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,690

$61,430

+32% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

34.8 yr

+0.3 yr in Dover, DE

Homeownership

47.0%

24.1%

+22.9 pp in Dover, DE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

27.1%

17.4%

+9.7 pp in Dover, DE

Avg Commute

24.0 min

33.2 min

+9.2 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,025.3

582.5

+43% in Dover, DE

Property Crime

6,159.1

1,961.8

+68% in Dover, DE

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

56.9°F

54.9°F

+2.0°F in Dover, DE

Annual Precipitation

46.0 in

46.3 in

+0.2 in in Newark, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.3

24.9

+29% in Newark, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.73

$17.68

+41% in Dover, DE

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Newark, NJ

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Newark, NJ

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Dover, DE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Newark, NJ

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Newark, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Newark, NJ

Average prices — South vs Northeast (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (DE / NJ)

None

6.625%

+6.6 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

6.60%

10.75%

+4.2 pp in NJ

Dover vs Newark — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Dover or Newark?: Newark, NJ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,230 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Dover, DE's $1,270, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Dover than in Newark?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Dover versus $39,000 in Newark.
Which has lower taxes, Dover or Newark?: Dover is taxed under Delaware's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax); Newark under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).