CostIndexUSA

Irvine, CA vs Newark, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Irvine
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent
More AffordableNJ
Newark
112.6
overall index
$3,225/mo rent

Newark is slightly cheaper than Irvine — 0.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Irvine, you would need $79,300 in Newark. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing12.8%
Irvine
170.4
Newark
148.6
🛒 Groceries+3.5%
Irvine
106.6
Newark
110.3
🚗 Transportation+1.4%
Irvine
109.6
Newark
111.1
🏥 Healthcare+1.4%
Irvine
99.1
Newark
100.5
Utilities19.9%
Irvine
158.6
Newark
127

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Irvine to see what you'd need to earn in Newark to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Newark, NJ
$79,300
$700 less needed in Newark

Formula: salary × (112.6 ÷ 113.6) = salary × 0.9912. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Irvine, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Newark, NJ

Median Home Price
$703,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,225
Housing Index
148.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2×

Irvine has 12.8% lower housing costs compared to Newark.

Income & Job Market

Irvine, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
307,670
Top Industries
TechnologyFinanceHealthcareEducationReal Estate

Newark, NJ

Median Household Income
$95,200
Per Capita Income
$54,300
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
Population
311,549
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingLogisticsGovernmentFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Irvine, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Newark, NJ
2.5×income-to-rent ratio

59% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.