Is it cheaper to live in Newark or Tampa?

Newark, NJ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,210 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Tampa, FL's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Newark versus $53,000 in Tampa.

Which has lower taxes, Newark or Tampa?

Newark is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); Tampa under Florida's (no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax).

Newark vs Tampa Cost of Living 2026

Newark

New Jersey

$1,210/mo est.

Tampa

Florida

$1,500/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 $1,500 in Tampa, FL. Overall, Newark, NJ is roughly 19% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tampa, FL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $48,416 in Newark, NJ and $71,302 in Tampa, FL — about 32% higher in Tampa, FL. New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax; Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax.

Newark, NJ

Tampa, FL

Rent

Studio

$1,111

$1,242

+12% in Tampa, FL

1 Bedroom

$978

$1,324

+35% in Tampa, FL

2 Bedroom

$1,386

$1,673

+21% in Tampa, FL

3 Bedroom

$1,695

$1,729

+2% in Tampa, FL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$337,800

$375,300

+11% in Tampa, FL

Income

Median Household Income

$48,416

$71,302

+47% in Tampa, FL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$61,430

$48,940

+20% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.8 yr

35.6 yr

+0.8 yr in Tampa, FL

Homeownership

24.1%

50.2%

+26.1 pp in Tampa, FL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

17.4%

44.6%

+27.2 pp in Tampa, FL

Avg Commute

33.2 min

24.7 min

+8.5 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

582.5

443.2

+24% in Newark, NJ

Property Crime

1,961.8

1,473.2

+25% 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

54.9°F

73.4°F

+18.5°F in Tampa, FL

Annual Precipitation

46.3 in

+0.0 in in Tampa, FL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.77/gal

+2% in Newark, NJ

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Florida.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.3

15.2

+35% in Newark, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.93

$23.62

+48% in Tampa, FL

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 Tampa, FL

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 / FL)

6.625%

+0.6 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

10.75%

None

+10.8 pp in NJ

Newark vs Tampa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Newark or Tampa?: Newark, NJ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,210 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Tampa, FL's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Newark than in Tampa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Newark versus $53,000 in Tampa.
Which has lower taxes, Newark or Tampa?: Newark is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); Tampa under Florida's (no state income tax and a 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).