Is it cheaper to live in Newark or West Valley City?

Newark, NJ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,230 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below West Valley City, UT's $1,330, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Newark than in West Valley City?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Newark versus $48,000 in West Valley City.

Which has lower taxes, Newark or West Valley City?

Newark is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); West Valley City under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).

Newark vs West Valley City Cost of Living 2026

Newark

New Jersey

$1,230/mo est.

West Valley City

Utah

$1,330/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 $1,330 in West Valley City, UT. Overall, Newark, NJ is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than West Valley City, UT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $48,416 in Newark, NJ and $88,604 in West Valley City, UT — about 45% higher in West Valley City, UT. New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.

Newark, NJ

West Valley City, UT

Rent

Studio

$1,111

$1,085

+2% in Newark, NJ

1 Bedroom

$978

$1,191

+22% in West Valley City, UT

2 Bedroom

$1,386

$1,333

+4% in Newark, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,695

$1,723

+2% in West Valley City, UT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$337,800

$377,300

+12% in West Valley City, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$48,416

$88,604

+83% in West Valley City, UT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$61,430

$55,240

+10% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.8 yr

30.3 yr

+4.5 yr in Newark, NJ

Homeownership

24.1%

71.1%

+47.0 pp in West Valley City, UT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

17.4%

15.7%

+1.7 pp in Newark, NJ

Avg Commute

33.2 min

22.2 min

+11.0 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

582.5

471.8

+19% in Newark, NJ

Property Crime

1,961.8

1,855.5

+5% 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

52.8°F

+2.1°F in Newark, NJ

Annual Precipitation

46.3 in

16.1 in

+30.1 in in Newark, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in West Valley City, UT

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

24.9

13.4

+46% in Newark, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$17.68

$11.84

+33% in Newark, NJ

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in West Valley City, UT

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in West Valley City, UT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in West Valley City, UT

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 / UT)

6.625%

6.1%

+0.5 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

10.75%

4.50%

+6.3 pp in NJ

Newark vs West Valley City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Newark or West Valley City?: Newark, NJ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,230 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below West Valley City, UT's $1,330, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Newark than in West Valley City?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Newark versus $48,000 in West Valley City.
Which has lower taxes, Newark or West Valley City?: Newark is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); West Valley City under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% 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).