Is it cheaper to live in Newark or Richmond?

Newark, NJ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,210 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Richmond, VA's $1,390, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Newark versus $48,000 in Richmond.

Which has lower taxes, Newark or Richmond?

Newark is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); Richmond under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax).

Newark vs Richmond Cost of Living 2026

Newark

New Jersey

$1,210/mo est.

Richmond

Virginia

$1,390/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,210 in Newark, NJ versus $1,390 in Richmond, VA. Overall, Newark, NJ is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Richmond, VA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $48,416 in Newark, NJ and $62,671 in Richmond, VA — about 23% higher in Richmond, VA. New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Newark, NJ

Richmond, VA

Rent

Studio

$1,111

$1,183

+6% in Richmond, VA

1 Bedroom

$978

$1,195

+22% in Richmond, VA

2 Bedroom

$1,386

$1,374

+1% in Newark, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,695

$1,447

+15% in Newark, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$337,800

$328,100

+3% in Newark, NJ

Income

Median Household Income

$48,416

$62,671

+29% in Richmond, VA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$61,430

$51,460

+16% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.8 yr

34.5 yr

+0.3 yr in Newark, NJ

Homeownership

24.1%

43.5%

+19.4 pp in Richmond, VA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

17.4%

44.1%

+26.7 pp in Richmond, VA

Avg Commute

33.2 min

22.1 min

+11.1 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

582.5

349

+40% in Newark, NJ

Property Crime

1,961.8

3,240.2

+65% in Richmond, VA

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

58.9°F

+4.0°F in Richmond, VA

Annual Precipitation

46.3 in

43.6 in

+2.6 in in Newark, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.3

17.6

+24% in Newark, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.93

$23.66

+49% in Richmond, VA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Newark, NJ

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.75

+9% in Newark, NJ

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Richmond, VA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.45

+6% in Newark, NJ

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$1.90

+13% in Newark, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Newark, NJ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NJ / VA)

6.625%

5.3%

+1.3 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

10.75%

5.75%

+5.0 pp in NJ

Newark vs Richmond — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Newark or Richmond?: Newark, NJ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,210 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Richmond, VA's $1,390, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Newark than in Richmond?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Newark versus $48,000 in Richmond.
Which has lower taxes, Newark or Richmond?: Newark is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); Richmond under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).