Is it cheaper to live in Newark or Wichita?

Wichita, KS 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 Wichita?

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

Which has lower taxes, Newark or Wichita?

Newark is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); Wichita under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Newark vs Wichita Cost of Living 2026

Newark

New Jersey

$1,210/mo est.

Wichita

Kansas

$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 Wichita, KS. Overall, Wichita, KS 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 $63,072 in Wichita, KS — about 23% higher in Wichita, KS. New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Newark, NJ

Wichita, KS

Rent

Studio

$1,111

$726

+35% in Newark, NJ

1 Bedroom

$978

$761

+22% in Newark, NJ

2 Bedroom

$1,386

$976

+30% in Newark, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,695

$1,199

+29% in Newark, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$337,800

$179,500

+47% in Newark, NJ

Income

Median Household Income

$48,416

$63,072

+30% in Wichita, KS

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$61,430

$47,630

+22% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.8 yr

35.7 yr

+0.9 yr in Wichita, KS

Homeownership

24.1%

58.4%

+34.3 pp in Wichita, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

17.4%

30.9%

+13.5 pp in Wichita, KS

Avg Commute

33.2 min

18.9 min

+14.3 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

582.5

1,238.7

+113% in Wichita, KS

Property Crime

1,961.8

5,284.9

+169% in Wichita, KS

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

57.0°F

+2.1°F in Wichita, KS

Annual Precipitation

46.3 in

32.6 in

+13.6 in in Newark, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Wichita, KS

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.3

15.1

+35% in Newark, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.93

$25.12

+58% in Wichita, KS

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 Wichita, KS

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 / KS)

6.625%

6.5%

+0.1 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

10.75%

5.58%

+5.2 pp in NJ

Newark vs Wichita — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Newark or Wichita?: Wichita, KS 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 Wichita?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Newark versus $30,000 in Wichita.
Which has lower taxes, Newark or Wichita?: Newark is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); Wichita under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% 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).