Irvine vs Newark: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Irvine, CA and Newark, NJ, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Newark, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 304,527 | 307,355 |
| Median household income | $122,948 | $46,460 |
| Median home value | $1,025,700 | $312,300 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $2,749 | $1,273 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Irvine, CA and Newark, NJ comes down to what you value most. Newark has the lower median home value, and Newark has the lower median rent.
Irvine has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Irvine or Newark?
- By median home value, Newark is the cheaper of the two ($312,300 vs $1,025,700). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Irvine or Newark?
- Median household income is $122,948 in Irvine versus $46,460 in Newark, per the US Census Bureau.