Newark vs Denver
Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Newark
Denver
💡 The Verdict
Newark and Denver have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
💰 Salary Equivalence
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: New Jersey salaries · Colorado salaries
Living in Newark vs Denver
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Newark has a housing index of 149 while Denver sits at 152 (national average = 100). The median home in Newark costs $340,000 compared to $520,000 in Denver, a difference of $180,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Newark versus $1,900 in Denver.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Newark scores 103 while Denver scores 102. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Newark (105) are higher than Denver (104). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Newark is $40,014 compared to $72,661 in Denver. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
Relocating: Newark vs Denver
If you are considering a move between Newark (index: 121) and Denver (index: 118), the 2% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Denver is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.
Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Newark can afford $934/month, while the median household in Denver can afford $1,695/month. With median homes at $340,000 in Newark versus $520,000 in Denver, the higher-cost city presents significant affordability challenges.
Renting vs buying: At $1,400/month in Newark and $1,900/month in Denver, renters save significantly in Denver. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.
Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes about equally far in both cities. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
Reading These Numbers: Newark (121) vs Denver (118)
The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Newark at 121 is 21% above the US average, while Denver at 118 is 18% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
Newark and Denver land within 3 points of each other on the composite index (121 vs 118), so the overall cost picture is similar. The biggest category divergence is utilities, where Newark scores 118 and Denver scores 94. That 24-point gap is the primary driver of the overall cost difference between these two metros. Housing costs are comparable between the two metros, with Newark at 149 and Denver at 152 on the housing sub-index and median home prices of $340,000 and $520,000 respectively. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Newark has an edge in housing, while Denver is more affordable for groceries and utilities. Your actual savings depend on which categories consume the biggest share of your personal budget.
For renters: With median rents of $1,400/month in Newark and $1,900/month in Denver, the annual rent difference is approximately $6,000. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $30,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $180,000 difference in median home prices between Newark and Denver translates to roughly $10,800 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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