Cost to Own
United States › New Jersey › Essex County › Newark Population 307,188 Data vintage ACS 2023 5-Year Rates updated 2026-10-15
Before you budget for Newark FEMA rates natural hazard risk in Essex County Relatively High, with heat wave its highest-ranked hazard against other US counties. It shapes what insurers charge here. See what threatens homes in this county

Total monthly cost of ownership

Cost to Own a Home in Newark, New Jersey

A $338,000 home here costs

$3,070

per month, all in, with 20% down at today's 7.40% 30-year fixed rate. By the 28% rule that takes a household income of about $131,500 a year.

P&I 61%Tax 19%Insurance 3%Utilities 8%Upkeep 9%

A standard mortgage calculator would have told you $1,872. The real number is $1,198 higher every month, 64% more than the payment most buyers budget for.

Compare Essex County with anywhere in America · full county breakdown

Newark median: $337,800
Under 20% adds PMI
Freddie Mac PMMS
NJ average household

Where every dollar goes

Only the first line is a mortgage payment. Change any assumption above and every figure below recalculates.

Principal & interest30-year fixed, $270,400 borrowed $1,872
Property tax2.125% effective rate for Newark itself $599
Homeowners insuranceNew Jersey averages $1,309/yr (NAIC), or 0.294% of home value $83
Electricity25.19ยข/kWh, New Jersey residential average, EIA $167
Water, sewer & trashUS household average $68
Maintenance reserve1% of home value per year $282
Total monthly $3,070

Newark against Essex County and New Jersey

MeasureNewarkEssex County
Median home value$337,800$494,400
Median property tax$7,178$10,001
Effective tax rate2.125%2.023%
Median gross rent$1,330$1,459
Population307,188854,130

The weather behind that power bill

Newark sits in Essex County, which averages a high of 85.2°F in its hottest month and a low of 22.9°F in its coldest, with 44.88" of precipitation a year and 29% of it in a single three-month stretch. That climate drives 973 cooling and 5,272 heating degree days, which is what sets the $167 electricity line above.

See the full climate breakdown for Essex County , month by month temperatures, rainy season timing, snowfall and heating and cooling costs.

Other cities in Essex County

Full Essex County cost breakdown · Every county in New Jersey

Talk to someone who works this market

These are Newark averages. What one specific house costs to own, or what it would sell for today, depends on the street and the condition of the place. We will connect you with one licensed local agent who works Newark every week. Free, no obligation, and we never sell your details to a list.

I'm looking to buy in Newark I already own here and may sell

Common questions

How much does it cost to own a home in Newark?

A $338,000 home in Newark, New Jersey costs approximately $3,070 per month with 20% down at 7.4%. That is $1,872 principal and interest, $599 property tax, $83 homeowners insurance, $235 utilities and $282 set aside for maintenance.

What is the property tax rate in Newark?

Newark has an effective property tax rate of 2.125%, based on a median home value of $337,800 and median real estate taxes of $7,178. That is higher than the Essex County average of 2.023%.

What is the average home price in Newark?

The median owner-occupied home value in Newark, New Jersey is $337,800, against $494,400 across Essex County.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Newark?

Median gross rent in Newark is $1,330 a month, against $3,070 to own the median home all in. Renting costs less month to month here, though renting builds no equity.

What salary do you need to buy a home in Newark?

Using the standard 28% rule, housing costs at no more than 28% of gross income, buying the median home in Newark, New Jersey at today's rate takes a household income of roughly $131,500 a year. That covers the full $3,070 monthly cost, not just the mortgage payment.

Sources & methodology

  • Median home value, real estate taxes, gross rent and population for Newark, US Census Bureau, American Community Survey ACS 2023 5-Year, place-level tables.
  • Homeowners insurance, NAIC average premium for New Jersey.
  • Electricity price, EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A.
  • Mortgage rate, Freddie Mac PMMS, refreshed weekly.
  • Maintenance (1%/yr) and water and sewer ($68/mo) are national estimates. Every assumption above is editable.

Full methodology