Wondering how far your dollar stretches in Newark compared to Atlantic City? Below we break down housing costs, rent, taxes, income, and quality of life using 2026 data so you can make an informed relocation or remote-work decision. Every number is computed from Census, BLS, and Zillow data specific to these two metro areas.
| Newark | Metric | Atlantic City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 140 | Cost of Living Index | 105 | -25.0% |
| $395,000 | Median Home Price | $245,000 | -38.0% |
| $1,800 | Median Monthly Rent | $1,200 | -33.3% |
| $37,200 | Median Household Income | $38,500 | +3.5% |
| 2.3% | Property Tax Rate | 2.3% | +0.0% |
| 6.1% | Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | -4.9% |
| 33 min | Average Commute | 24 min | -27.3% |
| 33.4 | Median Age | 38.5 | +15.3% |
| 310,000 | Metro Population | 275,000 | -11.3% |
Data sourced from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024-2025). COL Index: 100 = national average.
Monthly mortgage assumes 6.5% interest, 30-year fixed, 20.0%down payment. PITI includes principal, interest, property tax, and homeowner's insurance.
Buying a home in Newark costs $2,870/month (PITI) compared to $1,780/month in Atlantic City — a difference of $1,090/month or $13,080/year. The price-to-income ratio is 10.6x in Newark versus 6.4x in Atlantic City, suggesting Atlantic City is relatively more affordable for homebuyers relative to local incomes. At a 15% savings rate, it takes 14.2 years to save a down payment in Newark compared to 8.5 years in Atlantic City.
Estimated on each city's median household income, single filer, standard deduction, 2025 rates.
| Tax Category | Newark | Atlantic City |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Income | $37,200 | $38,500 |
| State Income Tax | $585 | $630 |
| Federal Income Tax | $2,335 | $2,491 |
| FICA (SS + Medicare) | $2,845 | $2,945 |
| Property Tax (on median home) | $9,085/yr | $5,635/yr |
| State Sales Tax Rate | 6.6% | 6.6% |
| Total Tax Burden | $5,765 (15.5%) | $6,066 (15.8%) |
| Take-Home Pay | $31,436 | $32,434 |
On median household income, total taxes (federal + state + FICA) come to $5,765 in Newark (15.5% effective) versus $6,066 in Atlantic City (15.8% effective). After taxes, take-home pay is $31,436 in Newark and $32,434 in Atlantic City. Property taxes add $9,085/year on the median Newark home versus $5,635/year in Atlantic City.
These figures adjust for cost of living using the formula: adjusted = salary × (COL_destination / COL_origin). If you earn $37,200 in Newark (COL 140) and relocate to Atlantic City (COL 105), you would need $27,900 to maintain the same purchasing power. This means you can take a pay cut of $9,300 and still maintain your lifestyle in Atlantic City.
Beyond costs, quality of life matters. The average commute in Newark is 33 minutes versus 24 minutes in Atlantic City, a difference of 9 minutes each way. Atlantic City's lower unemployment rate of 5.8% versus 6.1% suggests a stronger job market. Atlantic City skews slightly older with a median age of 38.5 vs 33.4 in Newark.
Newark is 25.0% more expensive than Atlantic City overall. Newark has a cost of living index of 140 compared to 105 for Atlantic City (national average = 100). The biggest difference is housing: the median home costs $395,000 in Newark vs $245,000 in Atlantic City.
The median home price in Newark is $395,000, which is $150,000 more than Atlantic City's median of $245,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,800/month in Newark vs $1,200/month in Atlantic City, a difference of $600/month or $7,200/year.
To maintain the same standard of living, a $37,200 salary in Newark is equivalent to $27,900 in Atlantic City. This is based on the cost of living index ratio: Newark's COL index of 140 vs Atlantic City's 105. Conversely, $38,500 in Atlantic City equals $51,333 in Newark.
On a median household income, the combined federal, state, and FICA tax burden is $5,765 (15.5% effective rate) in Newark vs $6,066 (15.8% effective rate) in Atlantic City. Property taxes on the median home are $9,085/year in Newark (2.3% rate) vs $5,635/year in Atlantic City (2.3% rate). Sales tax rates are 6.6% in New Jersey and 6.6% in New Jersey.
Newark median household income: $37,200/yr. Atlantic City median household income: $38,500/yr (Census ACS).
Median monthly rent: $1,800 in Newark vs $1,200 in Atlantic City. Annualized that is $21,600 vs $14,400.
Atlantic City offers a lower cost of living (index 105 vs 140), which lets remote-workers keeping a coastal salary stretch further. Newark typically wins on amenities and labor-market depth.
Newark and Atlantic City numbers are pulled from Zillow ZHVI/ZORI (home values, rent), the U.S. Census Bureau ACS (income, demographics), and BEA RPP (cost-of-living index). Each value is timestamped on the page.
Source feeds (Zillow, Freddie Mac PMMS, Census ACS, BEA RPP) are refreshed on their native cadence. Page caches revalidate every 24 hours via Next.js ISR.
No. The Newark vs Atlantic City cost-of-living page is educational reference using public data and standard formulas. It is not personalized tax, legal, or investment advice. Consult a licensed professional for material decisions.
Home prices use Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI)[1]; rents use Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI)[1]. Median household income comes from the Census ACS 5-year estimates[2].
COL indices use the BEA Regional Price Parity methodology[3], normalized so 100 = national average.
Property tax rates are effective rates from the Tax Foundation[4], expressed as % of owner-occupied home value. Mortgage estimates assume 6.5% fixed rate[5], 30-year term, 20.0% down, $1,800/yr homeowners insurance.
Federal tax calculations[6] assume single filer, standard deduction. State tax uses the top marginal rate times taxable income after the state standard deduction. FICA = 6.2% Social Security (up to wage base) + 1.45% Medicare.
Salary equivalence uses adjusted = salary × (COL_destination / COL_origin). This captures cost-of-living shift but not state income tax differences.
Unemployment figures are the most recent monthly MSA-level readings from the BLS LAUS series[7].
Last reviewed is computed from the maximum retrievedAt across every source this page consumes.
City data from Census Bureau[2], BLS[7], and Zillow[1] (2024-2025). Tax calculations use 2025 IRS rates[6], single filer, standard deduction. Mortgage estimates assume 6.5% PMMS rate[5], 30-year term, 20.0% down. COL Index: 100 = national average[3]. Last reviewed .