Newark ranked among the nation's worst cities for renters in a new WalletHub study, placing 177th out of 182 U.S. cities evaluated for rental affordability, housing market conditions and quality of life.
The personal finance website compared 182 cities across 21 metrics in two broad categories: rental market and affordability, and quality of life. The study considered factors including rental affordability, rent-price trends, cost of living, job availability, safety and recreation opportunities.
Newark received an overall score of 36.08. It ranked 149th for rental market and affordability and 169th for quality of life. The study also tied Newark for the least affordable rentals in the country based on rent as a share of household income, alongside Detroit, Miami, Jackson, Mississippi and Hialeah, Florida.
Jersey City was the only other New Jersey city included in the rankings, placing 120th overall with a score of 45.78. It ranked 67th for rental market and affordability but 145th for quality of life.
Scottsdale, Arizona, topped the rankings as the nation’s best city for renters, followed by Gilbert and Chandler, Arizona. Detroit ranked last overall.
WalletHub said it compiled the rankings using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Zillow, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the FBI and other public and private sources.