CostIndexUSA

Boulder, CO vs Newark, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableCO
Boulder
105.2
overall index
$2,250/mo rent
NJ
Newark
112.6
overall index
$3,225/mo rent

Boulder is moderately cheaper than Newark — 7.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boulder, you would need $85,600 in Newark. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing5.4%
Boulder
157
Newark
148.6
🛒 Groceries+14.8%
Boulder
96.1
Newark
110.3
🚗 Transportation+6.0%
Boulder
104.8
Newark
111.1
🏥 Healthcare+6.0%
Boulder
94.8
Newark
100.5
Utilities+53.6%
Boulder
82.7
Newark
127

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Boulder to see what you'd need to earn in Newark to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Newark, NJ
$85,600
$5,600 more needed in Newark

Formula: salary × (112.6 ÷ 105.2) = salary × 1.0703. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Boulder, CO

Median Home Price
$702,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,250
Housing Index
157
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.0×

Newark, NJ

Median Home Price
$703,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,225
Housing Index
148.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2×

Boulder has 5.4% lower housing costs compared to Newark.

Income & Job Market

Boulder, CO

Median Household Income
$95,400
Per Capita Income
$54,400
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
105,112
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationResearchHealthcareOutdoor Recreation

Newark, NJ

Median Household Income
$95,200
Per Capita Income
$54,300
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
Population
311,549
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingLogisticsGovernmentFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Boulder, CO
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Newark, NJ
2.5×income-to-rent ratio

59% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.