City Comparison

Newark vs Warwick

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Newark

New Jersey
121
Expensive
$340,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$40,014
Median Income

Warwick

Rhode Island
106
Above Average
$413,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$74,600
Median Income

The Verdict

14.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 14.2%, with Warwick being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Newark has equivalent purchasing power to $65,702 in Warwick.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
149
Newark
127
Warwick
Groceries
103
Newark
102
Warwick
Utilities
118
Newark
112
Warwick
Transportation
115
Newark
105
Warwick
Healthcare
105
Newark
103
Warwick

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Newark has the same purchasing power as $65,702 in Warwick.

Conversely, $75,000 in Warwick equals $85,613 in Newark.

Living in Newark vs Warwick

Housing Costs

Newark's housing index of 149 is higher Warwick's 127, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $413,000. The $73,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,740 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Newark compared to $1,425/mo in Warwick, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Newark and 102 in Warwick. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Newark vs $485/month in Warwick. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 118 in Newark and 112 in Warwick. Monthly utility bills average approximately $472 in Newark vs $448 in Warwick. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 105 in Newark and 103 in Warwick. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $40,014 in Newark and $74,600 in Warwick. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $33,069 and $70,377 respectively. Warwick residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $934/month to housing in Newark vs $1,741/month in Warwick. In Newark, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Warwick, median rent of $1,425/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Warwick is 14.2% more affordable overall with an index of 106 vs 121.
A $75,000 salary in Newark has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $65,702 in Warwick, based on the cost of living difference.
Newark's housing index is 149 with median homes at $340,000, while Warwick's is 127 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases