Is it cheaper to live in Newark or Worcester?

Newark, NJ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,230 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Worcester, MA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Newark versus $41,000 in Worcester.

Which has lower taxes, Newark or Worcester?

Newark is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); Worcester under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Newark vs Worcester Cost of Living 2026

Newark

New Jersey

$1,230/mo est.

Worcester

Massachusetts

$1,340/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 $1,340 in Worcester, MA. Overall, Newark, NJ is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Worcester, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $48,416 in Newark, NJ and $67,544 in Worcester, MA — about 28% higher in Worcester, MA. New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax; Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Newark, NJ

Worcester, MA

Rent

Studio

$1,111

$1,087

+2% in Newark, NJ

1 Bedroom

$978

$1,028

+5% in Worcester, MA

2 Bedroom

$1,386

$1,476

+6% in Worcester, MA

3 Bedroom

$1,695

$1,675

+1% in Newark, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$337,800

$339,500

+1% in Worcester, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$48,416

$67,544

+40% in Worcester, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$61,430

$57,830

+6% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.8 yr

34.1 yr

+0.7 yr in Newark, NJ

Homeownership

24.1%

42.4%

+18.3 pp in Worcester, MA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

17.4%

34.1%

+16.7 pp in Worcester, MA

Avg Commute

33.2 min

25.1 min

+8.1 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

582.5

640.2

+10% in Worcester, MA

Property Crime

1,961.8

1,580.3

+19% 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

47.9°F

+7.0°F in Newark, NJ

Annual Precipitation

46.3 in

48.1 in

+1.8 in in Worcester, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.07/gal

+3% in Worcester, MA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Massachusetts.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

24.9

29.6

+19% in Worcester, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$17.68

$30.66

+73% in Worcester, MA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.92

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NJ / MA)

6.625%

6.25%

+0.4 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

10.75%

9.00%

+1.8 pp in NJ

Newark vs Worcester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Newark or Worcester?: Newark, NJ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,230 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Worcester, MA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Newark than in Worcester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Newark versus $41,000 in Worcester.
Which has lower taxes, Newark or Worcester?: Newark is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); Worcester under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% 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).