Is it cheaper to live in Newark or Rochester?

Rochester, NY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Newark, NJ's $1,210, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Newark versus $34,000 in Rochester.

Which has lower taxes, Newark or Rochester?

Newark is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); Rochester under New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax).

Newark vs Rochester Cost of Living 2026

Newark

New Jersey

$1,210/mo est.

Rochester

New York

$1,160/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 $1,160 in Rochester, NY. Overall, Rochester, NY is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Newark, NJ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $48,416 in Newark, NJ and $46,628 in Rochester, NY — about 4% higher in Newark, NJ. New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax; New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.

Newark, NJ

Rochester, NY

Rent

Studio

$1,111

$750

+32% in Newark, NJ

1 Bedroom

$978

$857

+12% in Newark, NJ

2 Bedroom

$1,386

$1,114

+20% in Newark, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,695

$1,240

+27% in Newark, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$337,800

$120,600

+64% in Newark, NJ

Income

Median Household Income

$48,416

$46,628

+4% in Newark, NJ

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$61,430

$51,210

+17% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.8 yr

33.5 yr

+1.3 yr in Newark, NJ

Homeownership

24.1%

37.2%

+13.1 pp in Rochester, NY

Bachelor's+ (25+)

17.4%

29.9%

+12.5 pp in Rochester, NY

Avg Commute

33.2 min

18.9 min

+14.3 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

582.5

690

+18% in Rochester, NY

Property Crime

1,961.8

3,533.4

+80% in Rochester, NY

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

48.2°F

+6.7°F in Newark, NJ

Annual Precipitation

46.3 in

34.3 in

+12.0 in in Newark, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$4.04/gal

+5% in Rochester, NY

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.3

29.9

+29% in Rochester, NY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.93

$22.74

+43% in Rochester, NY

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.92

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NJ / NY)

6.625%

+2.6 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

10.75%

10.90%

+0.2 pp in NY

Newark vs Rochester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Newark or Rochester?: Rochester, NY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Newark, NJ's $1,210, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Newark than in Rochester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Newark versus $34,000 in Rochester.
Which has lower taxes, Newark or Rochester?: Newark is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); Rochester under New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% 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).