Newark NJ

In Newark, the rent-to-income burden runs around 32% — a stretch by national standards. Median income sits at $52,060 and median rent is $1,392/month. 54% of renters are cost-burdened (30%+ of income on housing). Landlords are winning; everyone else is treading water. Median home value: $373,700 — that's 7.2× the median income. Only 24% of households own their home — this is overwhelmingly a renter city, which helps explain the landlord leverage problem. Employment picture: 11.56% unemployment — a softer job market. Poverty rate: 23.4% — well above the national average. The headline economic numbers hide a bifurcated city. Average commute: 33 minutes — soul-taxing. Violent crime: 44.9/100k avg monthly rate (6261 reported); Property crime: 136/100k avg monthly rate (19000 reported). Newark was founded in 1666 — that's 360 years of history baked into the streets. The city covers 25.9 sq miles at 11,985 people/sq mile — densely packed. Elevation: 10 ft — essentially flat — floods are a real conversation. Newark has 17 sister cities — cosmopolitan on paper, at least. RoastMyCity overall score: 38/100 — Proceed With Caution.