Is it cheaper to live in Mesa or Newark?

Newark, NJ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,210 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 17% below Mesa, AZ's $1,460, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $52,000 a year in Mesa versus $39,000 in Newark.

Which has lower taxes, Mesa or Newark?

Mesa is taxed under Arizona's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax); Newark under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax).

Mesa vs Newark Cost of Living 2026

Mesa

Arizona

$1,460/mo est.

Newark

New Jersey

$1,210/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,460 in Mesa, AZ versus $1,210 in Newark, NJ. Overall, Newark, NJ is roughly 17% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Mesa, AZ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $78,779 in Mesa, AZ and $48,416 in Newark, NJ — about 39% higher in Mesa, AZ. Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax; New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.

Mesa, AZ

Newark, NJ

Rent

Studio

$1,209

$1,111

+8% in Mesa, AZ

1 Bedroom

$1,288

$978

+24% in Mesa, AZ

2 Bedroom

$1,458

$1,386

+5% in Mesa, AZ

3 Bedroom

$1,819

$1,695

+7% in Mesa, AZ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$364,300

$337,800

+7% in Mesa, AZ

Income

Median Household Income

$78,779

$48,416

+39% in Mesa, AZ

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,380

$61,430

+20% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.2 yr

34.8 yr

+2.4 yr in Mesa, AZ

Homeownership

64.4%

24.1%

+40.3 pp in Mesa, AZ

Bachelor's+ (25+)

31.5%

17.4%

+14.1 pp in Mesa, AZ

Avg Commute

25.0 min

33.2 min

+8.2 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

486.2

582.5

+20% in Newark, NJ

Property Crime

1,488

1,961.8

+32% in Newark, NJ

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

75.1°F

54.9°F

+20.2°F in Mesa, AZ

Annual Precipitation

8.0 in

46.3 in

+38.2 in in Newark, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.09/gal

$3.86/gal

+24% in Mesa, AZ

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

Adult base one-way fare — Valley Metro vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.2

23.3

+53% in Newark, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.44

$15.93

+29% in Mesa, AZ

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Mesa, AZ

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.92

+6% in Mesa, AZ

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.90

+6% in Mesa, AZ

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.19

+9% in Newark, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.69

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AZ / NJ)

5.6%

6.625%

+1.0 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

10.75%

+8.3 pp in NJ

Mesa vs Newark — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Mesa or Newark?: Newark, NJ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,210 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 17% below Mesa, AZ's $1,460, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Mesa than in Newark?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $52,000 a year in Mesa versus $39,000 in Newark.
Which has lower taxes, Mesa or Newark?: Mesa is taxed under Arizona's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% 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).