Is it cheaper to live in Newark or Phoenix?

Phoenix, AZ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,430 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Newark, DE's $1,620, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $56,000 a year in Newark versus $50,000 in Phoenix.

Which has lower taxes, Newark or Phoenix?

Newark is taxed under Delaware's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax); Phoenix under Arizona's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax).

Newark vs Phoenix Cost of Living 2026

Newark

Delaware

$1,620/mo est.

Phoenix

Arizona

$1,430/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,620 in Newark, DE versus $1,430 in Phoenix, AZ. Overall, Phoenix, AZ is roughly 12% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Newark, DE, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $71,373 in Newark, DE and $77,041 in Phoenix, AZ — about 7% higher in Phoenix, AZ. Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax; Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax.

Newark, DE

Phoenix, AZ

Rent

Studio

$1,649

$1,127

+32% in Newark, DE

1 Bedroom

$1,391

$1,253

+10% in Newark, DE

2 Bedroom

$1,513

$1,493

+1% in Newark, DE

3 Bedroom

$1,916

$1,771

+8% in Newark, DE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$357,600

$381,900

+7% in Phoenix, AZ

Income

Median Household Income

$71,373

$77,041

+8% in Phoenix, AZ

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,310

$51,380

+5% in Newark, DE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

22.0 yr

34.8 yr

+12.8 yr in Phoenix, AZ

Homeownership

50.3%

57.1%

+6.8 pp in Phoenix, AZ

Bachelor's+ (25+)

57.5%

32.3%

+25.2 pp in Newark, DE

Avg Commute

19.6 min

25.7 min

+6.1 min in Phoenix, AZ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

326.3

799.6

+145% in Phoenix, AZ

Property Crime

2,024.6

2,338.9

+16% in Phoenix, AZ

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

54.9°F

75.1°F

+20.2°F in Phoenix, AZ

Annual Precipitation

43.1 in

8.2 in

+34.9 in in Newark, DE

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.21/gal

+32% in Phoenix, AZ

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.3

15.2

+21% in Newark, DE

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.73

$24.74

+17% in Newark, DE

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Phoenix, AZ

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Phoenix, AZ

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Newark, DE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Phoenix, AZ

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Phoenix, AZ

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Phoenix, AZ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (DE / AZ)

None

5.6%

+5.6 pp in AZ

Income Tax (top rate)

6.60%

2.50%

+4.1 pp in DE

Newark vs Phoenix — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Newark or Phoenix?: Phoenix, AZ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,430 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Newark, DE's $1,620, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Newark than in Phoenix?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $56,000 a year in Newark versus $50,000 in Phoenix.
Which has lower taxes, Newark or Phoenix?: Newark is taxed under Delaware's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax); Phoenix under Arizona's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% 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).