Key factors that impact the cost of your Albany to Newark move
What to know before moving from Albany to Newark
Moving from Albany to Newark comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since Newark is generally more expensive than Albany, 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:
Albany | Newark | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,450 | $2,300 |
Average home value | $281,584 | $475,797 |
Average income (per capita) | $66,546 | $41,335 |
Cost of living (single person) | $1,801 | $2,575 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,205 | $5,617 |
Unemployment rate | 7.1% | 13.0% |
Sales tax | 8.0% | 6.63% |
State income tax | 10.9% | 10.7% |
- Rent prices in Newark are 59% higher than in Albany, which means youโll have less money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Albany.
Home prices in Newark are 69.0% higher than in Albany. - Income in Newark is 37.9% lower than in Albany, 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 43.0% higher than in Albany. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If youโre moving your family to Newark, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Newark is 33.6% higher than in Albany.
- The unemployment rate in Newark is 83.10% higher than in Albany.
- Youโll spend less on retail and restaurants in Newark, since the cityโs sales taxes in Newark are 17.13% lower than in Albany.
- One perk of moving to Newark is paying less in state income taxes, which are 1.83% lower than in Albany.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,289.28 in Newark to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Albany.
How life is different in Albany vs. Newark
Newark | Albany | |
---|---|---|
Population | 304,960 | 99,224 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 9 | 8 |
Walkability score | 76 | 65 |
Bike friendliness score | 51 | 55 |
Crime Index | 75.24 | 10.0 |
Safety Index | 24.76 | 49.65 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Newark is about 207% greater than Albany, 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 Albany, based on public transportation ratings. Newark has a transit score of 9 out of 10 compared to 8 in Albany. 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 Albany. Newark is considered more walkable than Albany, with a score of 76 out of 100 versus 65 out of 100 in Albany. A cityโs walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- You probably wonโt see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Newark, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Albany. While Albany has a bike-friendliness score of 55 out of 100, Newark earned a 51. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
- The crime rate in Newark is higher than in Albany, 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 10.0 in Albany. 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 Albany, whose index is Albany's 49.65. 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 Albany 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 Albany vs. Newark move
- Weather: Newark has cold winters and hot humid summers.
- HOA rules: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulationsโsome areas require permits for large moving trucks.
- 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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: You can verify a New Jersey moving company\โs license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
- Moving permits: You wonโt need a moving permit in New Jersey, though it\โs smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
- Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly toNewark Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Newark
Now that youโve chosen "Brick City" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Newark to check out.
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
After settling into your new New Jersey home, youโll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Newark has lots to offer, no matter what youโre interested in:
- Arts and culture: Newark is home to museums and cultural arts centers like 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 sites โ are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an New Jersey Devils (NHL) and Metropolitan Riveters (NWHL) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Albany to Newark?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Albany to Newark are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Albany are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Albany to Newark?
With many people choosing to move from Albany 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 Albany to Newark take?
Moving from Albany, NY to Newark, NJ covers 149 miles and usually takes one to two days. Need to move faster? Some Albany movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Newark.