Is it cheaper to live in Newark or Tucson?

Tucson, AZ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Newark, NJ's $1,210, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Newark versus $36,000 in Tucson.

Which has lower taxes, Newark or Tucson?

Newark is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); Tucson under Arizona's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax).

Newark vs Tucson Cost of Living 2026

Newark

New Jersey

$1,210/mo est.

Tucson

Arizona

$1,070/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 $1,070 in Tucson, AZ. Overall, Tucson, AZ is roughly 12% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Newark, NJ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $48,416 in Newark, NJ and $54,546 in Tucson, AZ — about 11% higher in Tucson, AZ. New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax; Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax.

Newark, NJ

Tucson, AZ

Rent

Studio

$1,111

$795

+28% in Newark, NJ

1 Bedroom

$978

$891

+9% in Newark, NJ

2 Bedroom

$1,386

$1,146

+17% in Newark, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,695

$1,520

+10% in Newark, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$337,800

$242,200

+28% in Newark, NJ

Income

Median Household Income

$48,416

$54,546

+13% in Tucson, AZ

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$61,430

$47,760

+22% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.8 yr

34.6 yr

+0.2 yr in Newark, NJ

Homeownership

24.1%

51.7%

+27.6 pp in Tucson, AZ

Bachelor's+ (25+)

17.4%

30.2%

+12.8 pp in Tucson, AZ

Avg Commute

33.2 min

22.2 min

+11.0 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

582.5

645.8

+11% in Tucson, AZ

Property Crime

1,961.8

3,460

+76% in Tucson, 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

70.2°F

+15.3°F in Tucson, AZ

Annual Precipitation

46.3 in

11.6 in

+34.6 in in Newark, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.09/gal

+32% in Tucson, AZ

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

Free

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.3

15.2

+35% in Newark, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.93

$22.44

+41% in Tucson, AZ

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Tucson, AZ

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Tucson, AZ

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Tucson, AZ

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.01

+8% in Newark, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NJ / AZ)

6.625%

5.6%

+1.0 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

10.75%

2.50%

+8.3 pp in NJ

Newark vs Tucson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Newark or Tucson?: Tucson, AZ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Newark, NJ's $1,210, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Newark than in Tucson?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Newark versus $36,000 in Tucson.
Which has lower taxes, Newark or Tucson?: Newark is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); Tucson 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).