CostIndexUSA

Mesa, AZ vs Newark, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableAZ
Mesa
103.3
overall index
$1,725/mo rent
NJ
Newark
112.6
overall index
$3,225/mo rent

Mesa is moderately cheaper than Newark — 9.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Mesa, you would need $87,200 in Newark. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+22.6%
Mesa
121.2
Newark
148.6
🛒 Groceries+16.1%
Mesa
95
Newark
110.3
🚗 Transportation+1.7%
Mesa
109.2
Newark
111.1
🏥 Healthcare+1.7%
Mesa
98.8
Newark
100.5
Utilities+36.1%
Mesa
93.3
Newark
127

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Newark, NJ
$87,200
$7,200 more needed in Newark

Formula: salary × (112.6 ÷ 103.3) = salary × 1.0900. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Mesa, AZ

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
121.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Newark, NJ

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

Newark has 22.6% higher housing costs compared to Mesa.

Income & Job Market

Mesa, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
518,012
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareRetailManufacturingAerospace

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).

Mesa, AZ
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.