Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Newark, NJ
VS
San Buenaventura (Ventura), CA
🏆 San Buenaventura (Ventura) leads 15 of 23 categories
Newark
New Jersey
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,460
Violent Crime Index
153⚠ High
Population
307,355 ✓ Larger
San Buenaventura (Ventura)
California
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$96,036 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
93 ✓ Safer
Population
110,358
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Newark, NJ
Pros
Homes cost $402k less ($312,300 vs $714,000)
Rent averages $669/mo less ($1,273 vs $1,942)
Smaller class sizes — 15.6:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails San Buenaventura (Ventura) by $49,576/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 4.9%)
San Buenaventura (Ventura), CA
Pros
Households earn $49,576 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 5.8 pts lower (4.9%)
39% less violent crime than Newark
More college-educated — 40.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 39°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $714,000
Higher rents — median is $1,942/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Newark
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 112.5 vs 113.5 (100 = US avg)
Newark
Median Home Value
$402k less
$312,300 vs $714,000
Newark
Summer Heat
13.9°F warmer
July avg high 86.8°F vs 72.9°F
San Buenaventura (Ventura)
Median Income
$49,576
$96,036 vs $46,460/yr
San Buenaventura (Ventura)
Violent Crime
39% lower
354.5 vs 581.2 per 100k
San Buenaventura (Ventura)
Unemployment
5.8 pp lower
4.9% vs 10.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Newark, NJ | San Buenaventura (Ventura), CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 112.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 113.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $312,300⚠ High ✓ Lower | $714,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,273 ✓ Lower | $1,942⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,460 | $96,036 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.7%⚠ High | 4.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 33.0 min⚠ High | 24.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 4.6% | 13.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 129⚠ High | 98 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 153⚠ High | 93 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 93 ✓ Safer | 104⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (85) | B- (96) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 24.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 17.0% | 40.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 77.7% | 91.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Newark Public School District | Ventura Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 39.4°F | 65.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.8°F ✓ Warmer | 72.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 50.4" | 16.1" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 28.2" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 307,355 ✓ Larger | 110,358 |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 41.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 23.9% | 56.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.1% ✓ More | 20.2% |
| Over 65 | 10.9% | 18.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Newark's cost of living index is 112.5 vs San Buenaventura (Ventura)'s 113.5 (US average = 100).
Newark is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, San Buenaventura (Ventura) leads 15 of 23 categories. Newark wins 8 and San Buenaventura (Ventura) wins 15. 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 Newark to San Buenaventura (Ventura) or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($312,300 vs $714,000 median home), income ($46,460 vs $96,036), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Newark, NJ and San Buenaventura (Ventura), CA are about 2,484 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.
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