Is it cheaper to live in Newark or Springfield?

Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Newark, NJ's $1,210, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Newark versus $31,000 in Springfield.

Which has lower taxes, Newark or Springfield?

Newark is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); Springfield under Missouri's (a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax).

Newark vs Springfield Cost of Living 2026

Newark

New Jersey

$1,210/mo est.

Springfield

Missouri

$940/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 $940 in Springfield, MO. Overall, Springfield, MO is roughly 22% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Newark, NJ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $48,416 in Newark, NJ and $45,984 in Springfield, MO — about 5% higher in Newark, NJ. New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax; Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax.

Newark, NJ

Springfield, MO

Rent

Studio

$1,111

$760

+32% in Newark, NJ

1 Bedroom

$978

$772

+21% in Newark, NJ

2 Bedroom

$1,386

$926

+33% in Newark, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,695

$1,158

+32% in Newark, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$337,800

$165,200

+51% in Newark, NJ

Income

Median Household Income

$48,416

$45,984

+5% in Newark, NJ

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$61,430

$45,780

+25% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.8 yr

33.6 yr

+1.2 yr in Newark, NJ

Homeownership

24.1%

42.9%

+18.8 pp in Springfield, MO

Bachelor's+ (25+)

17.4%

30.3%

+12.9 pp in Springfield, MO

Avg Commute

33.2 min

18.0 min

+15.2 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

582.5

1,189.8

+104% in Springfield, MO

Property Crime

1,961.8

4,231.6

+116% in Springfield, MO

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

56.3°F

+1.4°F in Springfield, MO

Annual Precipitation

46.3 in

45.6 in

+0.7 in in Newark, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Springfield, MO

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.3

13.7

+41% in Newark, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.93

$24.13

+51% in Springfield, MO

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.66

+14% in Newark, NJ

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Springfield, MO

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.77

+2% in Newark, NJ

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.10

+4% in Newark, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Newark, NJ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NJ / MO)

6.625%

4.225%

+2.4 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

10.75%

4.70%

+6.0 pp in NJ

Newark vs Springfield — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Newark or Springfield?: Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Newark, NJ's $1,210, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Newark than in Springfield?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Newark versus $31,000 in Springfield.
Which has lower taxes, Newark or Springfield?: Newark is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); Springfield under Missouri's (a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% 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).