Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Newark to Los Angeles
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Los Angeles has higher median income ($81,939 vs $52,060) and higher housing costs (rent $1,933 vs $1,392; home value $921,200 vs $373,700) than Newark. Newark residents face longer commutes (36 vs 33 minutes). Los Angeles applies a 9.30% state income tax in the model, while Newark’s state tax is excluded per data boundaries. These factors create a trade-off: Los Angeles offers greater income potential but at higher housing and tax costs, while Newark provides lower housing burdens with relatively lower income and longer commutes. Neither city dominates across all metrics, reflecting distinct affordability and lifestyle profiles.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Los Angeles → NewarkMoving from Newark to Los Angeles
Median Rent Impact
+$541/mo
Moving to Los Angeles costs ~$6,492 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+9.3%
~$9,300 more state tax on a $100k salary in California.
Daily Commute Difference
-3 min / day
Difference of ~25 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTNEW → LAX
49/ 100
The offer needs work
The destination absorbs more of the offer.Estimated annual life delta−$4,524after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's
Watch closelyA $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal California tax reference
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Newark is about $6,492 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Newark household income$52,060
Los Angeles household income$81,939
Newark gross rent$1,392
Los Angeles gross rent$1,933
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Newark | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 310,178 | 3,857,263 |
| Median household income | $52,060 | $81,939 |
| Median gross rent | $1,392 | $1,933 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $373,700 | $921,200 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 9.3% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 36 minutes in Newark and 33 minutes in Los Angeles. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income
- Median gross rent
- Median owner-occupied home value
- One-way commute time
- State individual income tax (modeled)
What each city wins
Newark
High rent burden. Watch rent vs income balance.
Los Angeles
A large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's. Watch a $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal california tax reference.
Frequently asked questions
How do housing costs compare between Newark and Los Angeles?
Los Angeles has higher median gross rent ($1,933/month) and median home value ($921,200) than Newark ($1,392/month rent, $373,700 home value), based on 2024 ACS 5-year estimates.
Which city has a longer commute, and what are the times?
Newark has a longer average one-way commute at 36 minutes compared to Los Angeles at 33 minutes, derived from 2024 ACS table B08303 weighted midpoints.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.