Key factors that impact the cost of your Lancaster to Newark move
What to know before moving from Lancaster to Newark
Moving from Lancaster to Newark comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since Newark is generally more expensive than Lancaster, itโs important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Lancaster | Newark | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $2,600 | $2,300 |
Average home value | $473,053 | $475,797 |
Average income (per capita) | $74,723 | $41,335 |
Cost of living (single person) | $2,540 | $2,575 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $5,562 | $5,617 |
Unemployment rate | 15.6% | 13.0% |
Sales tax | 10.25% | 6.63% |
State income tax | 13.3% | 10.7% |
- Rent prices in Newark are 12% lower than in Lancaster, which means youโll have more money in your pocket each month.
- Home prices are the same in Newark and Lancaster.
- Income in Newark is 44.7% lower than in Lancaster, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Newark include Panasonic Corporation of North America, Prudential Financial, and Prudential Capital & Investment Services.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Newark, since the cost of living for a single person in Newark is 1.4% higher than in Lancaster. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- The cost of living for a family is the same in Newark and Lancaster.
- The unemployment rate in Newark is 16.67% lower than in Lancaster.
- Youโll spend less on retail and restaurants in Newark, since the cityโs sales taxes in Newark are 35.32% lower than in Lancaster.
- One perk of moving to Newark is paying less in state income taxes, which are 19.55% lower than in Lancaster.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,041.34 in Newark to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Lancaster.
How life is different in Lancaster vs. Newark
Newark | Lancaster | |
---|---|---|
Population | 304,960 | 173,516 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 9 | 0 |
Walkability score | 76 | 29 |
Bike friendliness score | 51 | 40 |
Crime Index | 75.24 | 45.5 |
Safety Index | 24.76 | 54.5 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Newark is about 76% greater than Lancaster, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
- Newark offers better access to buses and trains than Lancaster, based on public transportation ratings. Newark has a transit score of 9 out of 10 compared to 0 in Lancaster. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- Living in Newark means youโll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Lancaster. Newark is considered more walkable than Lancaster, with a score of 76 out of 100 versus 29 out of 100 in Lancaster. A cityโs walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- If cycling is your thing, Newark is considered more bike-friendly than Lancaster in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Newark has a bike-friendliness score of 51 out of 100, while Lancaster is rated as 40 out of 100.
- The crime rate in Newark is higher than in Lancaster, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 75.24 in Newark, it is 45.5 in Lancaster. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a cityโs crime levels.
- You may want to exercise more caution as youโre getting used to your new surroundings in Newark. With a crime index of 24.76, Newark ranks lower in overall safety than Lancaster, whose index is Lancaster's 54.5. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
- The air quality in Newark and Lancaster is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.
Other things to consider for your Lancaster vs. Newark move
- Weather: Newark has cold winters and hot humid summers.
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: In New Jersey, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs handles the regulation of in-state moving companies. The stateโs Division of Consumer Affairs works to ensure that warehousemen (public storage companies) and public movers provide safe, reliable, and ethical services while adhering to all relevant state rules and regulations. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a New Jersey moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: New Jersey does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Newark. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Released Value Protection is the most economical option as it incurs no cost. It is provided by movers at no additional charge, but the coverage is minimal. Under this option, no more than 60 cents per pound per article is the responsibility of the mover. For example, if a delicate china set weighing 20 pounds is lost or damaged by the mover, only $12 (60 cents x 20 pounds) would be received. If coverage for the full value of your items is needed, consultation with the moving company you're hiring for other options or a third-party insurance provider is recommended.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.
Where to live in Newark
Now that you've decided to make the move to "Brick City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Newark.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- North Ironbound
- South Ironbound
- Downtown
- Seventh Avenue
- Upper Roseville
Best neighborhoods for families
- Downtown
- Upper Vailsburg
- Seventh Avenue
- North Ironbound
- Springfield/Belmont
Things to do in Newark
Once youโre settled into your new home in New Jersey, itโs time to get out and discover what Newark has to offer. No matter your interests, thereโs something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: Newark features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the Newark Museum, Grammy Museum Experience Prudential Center, Gateways to Newark: Portraits, The New Jersey Historical Society, and Museum of the Old First Ward.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs Branch Brook Park, Military Park, and Weequahic Park โ among other spots โ perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an New Jersey Devils (NHL) and Metropolitan Riveters (NWHL) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Lancaster to Newark?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Lancaster to Newark are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Lancaster are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Lancaster to Newark?
With many people choosing to move from Lancaster to Newark in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.
How long does a move from Lancaster to Newark take?
Moving from Lancaster, CA to Newark, NJ covers 2,764 miles and usually takes seven to 21 days. Need to move faster? Some Lancaster movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Newark.