Living Cost Compare
Newark

New Jersey

$1,230/mo est.

vs
Warwick

Rhode Island

$1,390/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,230 in Newark, NJ versus $1,390 in Warwick, RI. Overall, Newark, NJ is roughly 12% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Warwick, RI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $48,416 in Newark, NJ and $87,536 in Warwick, RI — about 45% higher in Warwick, RI. New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Rent

Studio
$1,111
$923
+17% in Newark, NJ
1 Bedroom
$978
$1,085
+11% in Warwick, RI
2 Bedroom
$1,386
$1,629
+18% in Warwick, RI
3 Bedroom
$1,695
$1,569
+7% in Newark, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$337,800
$322,000
+5% in Newark, NJ

Income

Median Household Income
$48,416
$87,536
+81% in Warwick, RI
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$61,430
$53,680
+13% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.8 yr
44.6 yr
+9.8 yr in Warwick, RI
Homeownership
24.1%
73.4%
+49.3 pp in Warwick, RI
Bachelor's+ (25+)
17.4%
33.2%
+15.8 pp in Warwick, RI
Avg Commute
33.2 min
25.0 min
+8.2 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
582.5
79.5
+86% in Newark, NJ
Property Crime
1,961.8
1,149.5
+41% 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
51.6°F
+3.3°F in Newark, NJ
Annual Precipitation
46.3 in
47.2 in
+0.9 in in Warwick, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.94/gal
about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
24.9
29.2
+17% in Warwick, RI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$17.68
$25.75
+46% in Warwick, RI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.92
$1.92
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$2.19
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.90
$6.90
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.19
$2.19
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.69
$0.69
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NJ / RI)
6.625%
7%
+0.4 pp in RI
Income Tax (top rate)
10.75%
5.99%
+4.8 pp in NJ

Newark vs Warwick — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Newark or Warwick?
Newark, NJ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,230 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Warwick, RI's $1,390, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Newark than in Warwick?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Newark versus $43,000 in Warwick.
Which has lower taxes, Newark or Warwick?
Newark is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); Warwick under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% 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).