Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Denver, CO
VS
Newark, NJ
🏆 Denver leads 16 of 23 categories
Denver
Colorado
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$85,853 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
261⚠ High
Population
710,800 ✓ Larger
Newark
New Jersey
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$46,460
Violent Crime Index
153⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
307,355
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Denver, CO
Pros
Households earn $39,393 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 6.0 pts lower (4.7%)
More college-educated — 54.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
7% cheaper overall cost of living than Newark
Milder winters — January highs near 47°F vs 39°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $540,400
Violent crime (993.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,665/mo
Property crime (4761.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Newark, NJ
Pros
Homes cost $228k less ($312,300 vs $540,400)
41% less violent crime than Denver
Rent averages $392/mo less ($1,273 vs $1,665)
Cons
Median income trails Denver by $39,393/yr
Violent crime (581.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Higher unemployment (10.7% vs 4.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Denver
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 105.5 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Denver
Median Income
$39,393
$85,853 vs $46,460/yr
Denver
Unemployment
6.0 pp lower
4.7% vs 10.7% unemployment
Denver
Summer Heat
3.4°F warmer
July avg high 90.2°F vs 86.8°F
Newark
Violent Crime
41% lower
581.2 vs 993.0 per 100k
Newark
Median Home Value
$228k less
$312,300 vs $540,400
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Newark, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $540,400⚠ High | $312,300⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,665⚠ High | $1,273 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,853 ✓ Higher | $46,460 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 10.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.3 min ✓ Shorter | 33.0 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 20.9% ✓ Higher | 4.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 247⚠ High | 129⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 261⚠ High | 153⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 227⚠ High | 93 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (110) ✓ Better | C+ (85) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 54.2% ✓ Higher | 17.0% |
| High School or Higher | 90.5% ✓ Higher | 77.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | Newark Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 46.5°F ✓ Warmer | 39.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 90.2°F ✓ Warmer | 86.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 15.4" ✓ Drier | 50.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 49.0" | 28.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 710,800 ✓ Larger | 307,355 |
| Median Age | 34.9 ✓ Older | 34.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% ✓ Higher | 23.9% |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 24.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.0% ✓ More | 10.9% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Denver's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Newark's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Denver is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Denver leads 16 of 23 categories. Denver wins 16 and Newark wins 7. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Denver to Newark or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($540,400 vs $312,300 median home), income ($85,853 vs $46,460), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Denver, CO and Newark, NJ are about 1,613 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.